Melvin A. Steinberg (born October 4, 1933) is an American politician who served as the 5th lieutenant governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995[1] under Governor William Donald Schaefer. He previously served as the president of the Maryland State Senate from January 1983 to 1987, and a member of the State Senate from 1967 until his election to the position of lieutenant governor.[1]
Steinberg’s relationship with Governor Schaefer was strained, with each publicly criticising the other[2][3][4][5] and extensive coverage being devoted to their personal relationship.[6][7] Despite their differences, they worked together for eight years (1987–1995), winning two elections in the process. Steinberg ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1994[8] launching his campaign pledging a war on crime,[9] but was defeated by Parris Glendening, who went on to become governor. Steinberg then took up a career in lobbying.[10] In 1998, he drew criticism for supporting the Republican candidate for Governor, Ellen Sauerbrey, rather than endorsing Glendening in his bid for re-election; Sauerbrey was a critic of abortion and of gun control, positions opposite those held by Steinberg.[11] In 2018, he again endorsed the Republican nominee for governor, incumbent Larry Hogan, over the Democratic nominee, Ben Jealous.[12]
