Jovan E. Melton
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 41st district
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 13, 2021
Preceded byNancy Todd
Succeeded byIman Jodeh
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Colorado, Boulder
Websitehttp://www.jovanmelton.com

Jovan Melton is a former Democratic member of the Colorado House of Representatives, serving from 2013 to early 2021. Before serving in the House, Melton worked for Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien, and managed the campaigns of state representatives Angela Williams and Rhonda Fields.[1][2]

While a state representative, Melton served as the Democratic majority whip and as Vice-Chair of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado.[3] He is also Founder and Senior Consultant for Emerson Hamilton Consulting and Strategies, LLC based in Aurora, Colorado.

At age 20, he was arrested for harassment of a girlfriend, an incident which occurred when he was a student at the University of Colorado. An arrest for assault of a different girlfriend in 2008 resulted in dismissal of charges. He has been accused by a fellow Democratic legislator of bullying, but no charges were filed.[3] After his arrest history became widely known due to a report published in October 2018 by The Denver Post Democratic legislative leaders asked him to resign. However, he was strongly defended by Colorado African-American leaders Wellington Webb and Bishop Acen Phillips, who described the request for resignation as a "21st-century lynching"[4][5] He has apologized for past behavior.[6] Melton was re-elected in the November 2018 election following the Denver Post story with 64% of the vote against his republican challenger.

References

  1. ↑ Hoover, Tim (18 June 2012). "Colorado primary matches Rep. Todd's husband and Jovan Melto". The Denver Post. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. ↑ Jovan Melton winning in Colorado's House District 41 primary. Denver Post
  3. 1 2 Jackson Barnett; Anna Staver (October 9, 2018). "Democratic leader in Colorado House charged with domestic violence twice in past two decades". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 11, 2018. The Aurora Democrat, then 20, pleaded guilty to harassment in the 1999 case
  4. ↑ Jackson Barnett; Anna Staver (October 11, 2018). ""21st-century lynching": Colorado black leaders denounce calls for Democratic lawmaker's resignation over domestic violence charges". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  5. ↑ Bente Birkeland (October 10, 2018). "As Past Domestic Violence Arrests Surface, Dem Leaders Ask Melton To Resign". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  6. ↑ Bente Birkeland (October 10, 2018). "Democrat Jovan Melton Apologizes For Past Domestic Violence Arrests, Denies Physical Violence". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved October 11, 2018. "While I categorically deny any allegations that suggest any violence against the women involved, I am both embarrassed and heartbroken to be reminded of my immaturity all those years ago," Melton stated. "As both a victim of childhood violence and to have caused pain and anguish for these women is horrible and for that I am sorry. I hope that both women can forgive me for the emotional pain that I've caused them."
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