Tim Melson

Last updated
Lynn Melson
​
(m. 1980)​
Tim Melson
Member of the Alabama Senate
from the 1st district
Assumed office
November 5, 2014
Children3
Residence(s) Florence, Alabama, U.S.
Alma mater University of North Alabama (BS)
University of Alabama at Birmingham (MD)
ProfessionPhysician

Timothy Ivan Melson (born 1959 or 1960) [1] [2] is an American politician and physician. A member of the Republican Party, he serves in the Alabama State Senate, representing its 1st district since 2014. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life and career

Melson was born and raised in Alabama, [5] and grew up in Florence, Alabama. [6] He is a graduate of the University of North Alabama, where he attained a Bachelor of Science in professional biology and general chemistry in 1982. [2] After graduation, he attended medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, from which he received his MD. [6]

Melson practiced medicine as an anesthesiologist at Helen Keller Hospital in Florence. He was the chief of anesthesia there from 1993 to 2008, in addition to serving on the board of directors at the Florence Surgery Center. [6] Melson retired from anesthesiology after a medical emergency which he described as a "close call"; Melson was suffering from liver failure and required a liver transplant and a heart transplant. Melson received a "life-saving" [7] operation in 2009 [8] from a doctor in Pittsburgh who predicted that a new liver would also resolve his heart issues. [9] After his retirement from general practice, Melson became the owner of Shoals Medical Trials, a medical business working in clinical trials. [9]

Alabama Senate

In 2014, Democratic state senator Tammy Irons retired, leaving the first district open in that year's election cycle. Melson announced his candidacy for the state senate in March 2014, saying he would focus on economic and workforce development, as well as improving health care access and quality in Alabama. He described the Affordable Care Act as a "disaster" and a "federal government takeover of health care". [6] The Republican primary advanced to a runoff between Melson and Chris Seibert, a city councilman from Athens, Alabama. Melson defeated Seibert in the runoff, in which he strongly carried Lauderdale County. [1] Melson defeated Democratic nominee Mike Curtis in the general election with 62% of the vote. [4]

During his first term as state senator, Melson voted against a gaming bill in the Tourism Committee in August 2015. [10] In 2018, he sponsored a bill clarifying that 18-year-olds could be committed to psychiatric facilities by probate judges when entering insanity pleas. [11] He also contributed to the expansion of U.S. Route 43 in north Alabama. [12] Melson was re-elected to a second term in office in 2018 against Democratic nominee Caroline Self, with Melson receiving 68% of the vote. [13] During his reelection campaign, Melson described himself as someone who would continue to "uphold conservative ideals", including anti-abortion measures and pro-gun and Second Amendment protections. [12]

Melson was the author of a bill successfully legalizing medical cannabis in Alabama, having first introduced it in 2019. Melson said that the bill was designed to help people at the end of their life, though he still opposed recreational use of marijuana. [14] Although the medical cannabis bill was opposed by Steve Marshall, the Attorney General of Alabama, [15] it eventually passed in the Alabama Legislature in May 2021. [16] The bill was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey the same month. [17] The law also established the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, which regulates licenses to distributors of medical cannabis, though it has encountered various lawsuits since its founding. [8]

Melson was reelected to a third term as state senator in the 2022 election cycle. In the Republican primary, Melson was challenged by John Sutherland, who had previously sued the Lauderdale County Agricultural Authority, of which Melson was the chairman. [18] Melson defeated Sutherland in the primary with 69% of the vote, [19] and was uncontested in the general election, with no Democratic candidate qualifying for the race. [20] As of 2023, Melson served as the chair of the state senate's Health Care Committee. [21]

Following a 2024 ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that frozen embryos could be considered children, Melson said he was planning to file a bill that would protect in vitro fertilisation, as many IVF clinics in the state had suspended operations in reaction to the ruling. Melson's legislation would provide clarification in the law that embryos would not be considered viable until being implanted in the uterus. [22]

Personal life

Melson has been married to his wife Lynn since 1980. [6] [12] As of 2017, they had three children and four grandchildren. Melson is a farmer and hobbyist cattleman, [12] and is a member of the National Rifle Association of America. [6]

While on a business recruiting trip to South Korea in July 2023, Melson suffered a major cardiac emergency. His daughter, Ellie Melson, said that he had suffered cardiac arrest and was in critical condition. John Wahl, the chair of the Alabama Republican Party, said that Melson had suffered a heart attack, which can result in cardiac arrest. [21] Fellow state senator Arthur Orr was on the trip with Melson and administered CPR. [7] Melson was hospitalized in South Korea for two weeks; he returned home to Alabama on August 14, 2023, to continue his recovery. [23] [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Palmer (politician)</span> American politician (born 1954)

Gary James Palmer is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Alabama's 6th congressional district since 2015. His district includes the wealthier parts of Birmingham, as well as most of its suburbs. Before becoming an elected official, Palmer co-founded and served as the longtime president of the Alabama Policy Institute, a conservative think tank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in Alabama</span>

The 2016 United States Senate election in Alabama was held on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Alabama, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Alabama</span> U.S. Senate election in Alabama

The 2020 United States Senate election in Alabama was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Alabama, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Alabama</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in the U.S. state of Alabama

Cannabis in Alabama is illegal for recreational use. First-time possession of personal amounts is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $6000, and a mandatory six months driver's license suspension. Repeat offenses and possession with intent to sell are felonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Alabama gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey (R), who took office on April 10, 2017 upon the resignation of Robert Bentley (R) ran for election to a full term and won over Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox. Ivey was sworn in for her first full term on January 14, 2019. This was the first time since 1966 that a woman was elected Governor of Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Williams (Alabama state senator)</span> American politician

Phillip W. Williams Jr. is an American politician, radio show host and attorney from the state of Alabama. A member of the Republican Party, Williams served in the Alabama Senate from 2010 until 2018, representing the 10th district, encompassing Etowah County and parts of Cherokee County. Since leaving the state legislature, Williams has served as a policy director for the Alabama Policy Institute and hosts a conservative radio program, Rightside Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Minnesota</span>

Cannabis in Minnesota is legal for recreational use as of August 1, 2023. On May 30, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed House File 100 into law, legalizing the use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis within the state. Licenses for commercial sales will likely not be issued until 2025, in order for the Office of Cannabis Management to establish regulatory frameworks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Alabama</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Alabama was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Alabama. Incumbent senator Richard Shelby was first elected in 1986 and re-elected in 1992 as a Democrat before becoming a Republican in 1994. In his most recent election in 2016, he was re-elected with nearly 64% of the vote over Democrat Ron Crumpton. In February 2021, Shelby announced that he would not seek re-election to a seventh term, which resulted in the first open Senate seat since 1996 and the first in this seat since 1968.

The Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act was a bill proposed in the 115th United States Congress that would recognize legalization of cannabis and the U.S. state laws that have legalized it through their legislatures or citizen initiative. It was introduced on June 7, 2018, by Senators Cory Gardner and Elizabeth Warren. A companion bill was introduced the same day in the House of Representatives, sponsored by Earl Blumenauer and David Joyce. The act would amend the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 to exempt from federal enforcement individuals or corporations in states who are in compliance with U.S. state, U.S. territory and the District of Columbia, or tribal law on cannabis, with certain additional provisions such as minimum ages. The banking provisions of the STATES Act have been reintroduced as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019 in the 116th U.S. Congress by Ed Perlmutter in the House, and by Jeff Merkley in the Senate. As of September 18, 2019, the House bill had 206 cosponsors, and the Senate bill had 33 cosponsors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Ainsworth</span> American politician (born 1981)

Will Ainsworth is an American politician serving as the 31st and incumbent lieutenant governor of Alabama since 2019. He served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2014 to 2018, representing its 27th district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Alabama, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Sorrell</span> American politician (born 1985 or 1986)

Justin Andrew Sorrell is an American politician who is the incumbent State Auditor of Alabama, serving since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2018 to 2022, representing the 3rd district, which includes the northwestern counties of Colbert and Lawrence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey took office on April 10, 2017 upon the resignation of Robert J. Bentley (R) and won a full term in 2018. In 2022, she won her bid for a second full term in a landslide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Alabama, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Britt</span> American politician & attorney (born 1982)

Katie Elizabeth Britt is an American politician, businesswoman, and attorney who is the junior United States senator from Alabama since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Britt is the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama and the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Senate. She was president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama from 2019 to 2021, and was chief of staff for her Senate predecessor, Richard Shelby, from 2016 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama Attorney General election</span>

The 2022 Alabama Attorney General election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the Attorney General of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall won re-election to a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama Secretary of State election</span>

The 2022 Alabama Secretary of State election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the next secretary of state of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Secretary of State John Merrill was term-limited and could not run for a third term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama House of Representatives election</span>

The 2022 Alabama House of Representatives elections were held on November 8, 2022. The Republican and Democratic primaries were held on May 24, 2022, and any races in which no candidate exceeded one-half plus one of the total votes advanced to a runoff on June 21, 2022. This was the first election cycle since 2002 in which the Libertarian Party of Alabama was on the ballot, as they exceeded the threshold for petition signatures needed to gain ballot access in Alabama. Libertarian candidates were nominated by party convention. All 105 of Alabama's state representatives were up for reelection. In Alabama, members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate serve four-year terms, running in years corresponding with presidential midterm elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama Senate election</span> Legislative election in Alabama

The 2022 Alabama Senate elections took place on November 8, 2022, as part of the 2022 United States elections. Alabama voters elected state senators in all 35 of the state's Senate districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the Alabama Senate in Montgomery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election</span> Election for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama

The 2022 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the lieutenant governor of the state of Alabama. The election coincided with various other federal and state elections, including for Governor of Alabama. Primary elections were held on May 24, with runoffs scheduled for June 21 if a candidate failed to receive a majority of the vote.

References

  1. 1 2 Kazek, Kelly (July 16, 2014). "Melson defeats Seibert in runoff for Alabama Senate District 1; will face Curtis Nov. 4". AL.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Eubanks, Michelle (July 10, 2019). "UNA Announces 2019 Homecoming Award Recipients". University of North Alabama Media and Public Relations. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ Kazek, Kelly (October 27, 2014). "5 questions for Mike Curtis and Tim Melson, candidates for Alabama's Senate District 1". AL.com. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  4. 1 2 Kazek, Kelly (November 4, 2014). "Republican Tim Melson wins Alabama Senate District 1 seat". AL.com. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  5. ↑ "Limestone County prefers Melson, Butler". The News Courier. November 6, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Melson seeking District 1 state senate seat". The News Courier. March 5, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  7. 1 2 McLaughlin, Bud (July 28, 2023). "State Sen. Melson has heart attack in S. Korea". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Holmes, Jacob (28 July 2023). "Report: State Sen. Tim Melson in critical condition after heart attack". July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Cole, Jean (July 4, 2014). "Close call informs Melson's politics". The News Courier. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ Britt, Susan (August 5, 2015). "Gaming Bill Passes Senate Committee". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (March 5, 2018). "Senate Health Committee approves bill to clarify law on committing 18 year olds". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Simmons, Chris (October 19, 2017). "State Senator Tim Melson Announces Bid For Second Term". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (November 7, 2018). "Alabama Senate Republicans hold onto commanding super majority". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  14. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (September 10, 2019). "Marijuana Study Commission considers tough medical marijuana bill". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (January 9, 2020). "Marshall opposes medical marijuana bill". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (May 7, 2021). "Legislature sends medical marijuana bill to governor". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ Cason, Mike (May 18, 2021). "Gov. Ivey Signs Alabama's Medical Marijuana Bill". AL.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ Delinski, Bernie (August 27, 2020). "Group sues over Lauderdale ag center, says funding is unconstitutional". WAFF-48. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ Smith, Dylan (May 31, 2023). "Alabama Senate GOP Caucus dominates primary elections, sets sights on November". Yellowhammer News. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022.
  20. ↑ Hester, Zach (September 30, 2022). "Uncontested races for the November 8, 2022 general election". WHNT-19. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  21. 1 2 Stephenson, Jemma (July 28, 2023). "Alabama State Sen. Tim Melson in critical condition after being resuscitated in South Korea". Alabama Reflector. AL.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  22. ↑ Stephenson, Jemma; Rocha, Alander (February 22, 2024). "Alabama senator planning to file bill that could protect in vitro fertilization". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  23. ↑ Monger, Craig (August 15, 2023). "State Sen. Tim Melson back in Alabama after suffering heart attack in Korea". 1819 News. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  24. ↑ Gray, Jeremy (August 6, 2023). "Alabama State Sen. Tim Melson plans return home after cardiac arrest in South Korea". AL.com. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.