Melvin L. Larsen

Melvin L. Larsen (born October 19, 1936) is an American politician from the State of Michigan.

Melvin L. Larsen
38th Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party
In office 1979–1981
Preceded by	William McLaughlin
Succeeded by	Spencer Abraham
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 61st district
In office January 1, 1973 – December 31, 1978
Preceded by	Loren D. Anderson
Succeeded by	Alice Tomboulian
Personal details
Born	(1936-10-19) October 19, 1936 (age 88) Clinton, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican

He was born in Clinton, Iowa,^[1] and later resided in Oxford, Oakland County, Michigan. Larsen was a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives 61st District, 1973–1978 and a candidate for Michigan Secretary of State in 1978. He was elected Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 1979 to 1981. In 1976, he was one of the authors of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of Michigan, alongside fellow Representative Daisy Elliott. This was a major anti-discrimination law in Michigan and touched upon fair housing, age discrimination, and sex discrimination. Currently, Melvin Larsen is President of Larsen & Associates of Southfield, Michigan.

On June 30, 2020, the Lewis Cass Building in Lansing was renamed the Elliott-Larsen Building in honor of Larsen and Elliot.^[2]

References

1. Michigan Manual 1973 (compiled and published by the State of Michigan Department of Administration), p.215
2. "Michigan Executive Order 2020-139 Naming the "Elliott-Larsen Building"" (PDF). June 30, 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.

Party political offices
Preceded by N. Lorraine Beebe	Republican nominee for Michigan Secretary of State 1978	Succeeded by Elizabeth A. Andrus
Preceded by William F. McLaughlin	Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party 1979– 1981	Succeeded by E. Spencer Abraham