Melvin A. Steinberg (born October 4, 1933) is an American politician who served as the fifth lieutenant governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995^[1] under Governor William Donald Schaefer. He was also 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 graduated from the University of Baltimore with an A.A. degree in 1952 and with a J.D. degree in 1955.^[1]

The relationship between Steinberg and 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]