Consider Rep. Melvin’s statement that “Wind and solar are nice, but they cannot power private sector industry more than the 1 to 2 percent they are doing now.”

Response to Al Melvin’s column in the Oct. 19 edition of  The Explorer.

As a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives, I would like to address comments made by state Senator Al Melvin while appearing on KVOI’s early morning talk show (Wake up Tucson) on Dec. 12th.

After reading Mrs. Grimes interview with Captain Al, and then reading the article about how he continues to defend corporate welfare, I can only hope (tongue in check) that Captain Al will be the nominee for Governor on the Republican ticket. 

This is a critical election and there are major differences between my opponent and me. Essentially, her positions are too extreme for our district and our state, while I prefer commonsense solutions to the problems we face.

Over the weekend, golf legend Phil Mickelson told reporters ‘drastic changes’ are ahead for him because of high taxes in his home state of California. In November, voters there raised the state sales tax and increased taxes on high-achievers. Mickelson estimated he is now paying more than 60% of his income in taxes.

Arizona State Sen. Al Melvin endorsed Wil Cardon's bid for the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

Al Melvin (Melvin thinks bold ideas will carry him in governor’s race...May 1, 2013) would make a perfect governor for Arizona, thereby keeping alive an almost unbroken 30-year record of intellectual midgets in that office.

It is only through the good graces of Thelma Grimes, Editor at The Explorer Newspaper, that I have the opportunity to respond to a bizarre letter from my colleague, Vic Williams. Let’s get to the nub of V. Williams’ letter.

You, an LD 11 voter and reader of the Explorer newspaper, deserve to know the truth about Arizona K-12 public education funding, energy, nuclear recycling and all subjects being debated during this election cycle. I am writing about these three specific subjects because they have appeared in recent political ads and letters to the editor. I want you to know the truth about them.

A race between two Republicans for a Senate nomination in District 26 has been identified as potentially pivotal for the Arizona Legislature.

The Explorer has offered space to Senate District 26 Republican candidates Pete Hershberger and Al Melvin.

Our current state senator, Al Melvin, has once again demonstrated how out of touch he is with the values of LD-26 voters.

Republican Al Melvin has culminated a four-year pursuit to serve in the Arizona Senate.

What if Arizona K-12 and universities had a dedicated revenue stream of $100 million or more every year? What if this revenue stream was counter-cyclical to the routine boom-bust cycles of our economy? What if this revenue stream was not connected to property taxes?

The GOP race is becoming a crowded field as Sen. Al Melvin, R-District 11, has announced that he is forming an exploratory committee.

It’s been a rough campaign so far for State Senate candidate Al Melvin, but not because he’s fielded too many tough questions from citizens and reporters.

Ann Kirkpatrick - The Arizona Republic and the Tucson Daily Star endorsed Jonathan Paton, not Ann Kirkpatrick. The Arizona Republic stated, in its Paton endorsement wrote, “For an hour, Kirkpatrick ridiculed, belittled, cut off and scolded her opponent in a manner that exceeded rudeness. We have seen more complete meltdowns in our board meetings but never one so unexpected . . . What sets them apart is composure. She lost hers during a significant test for endorsement. He did not.”

Sen. Al Melvin believes a budget compromise — which may include property tax decreases and a ballot referral of a temporary sales tax increase — could be hammered out by the Arizona Legislature and Gov. Jan Brewer by month's end.

When it comes to Democrats, the current state of the nation and his goals to get reelected to the Arizona Senate for a third term, Sen. Al Melvin has no problem speaking his mind.