Edwin Leard Mechem (July 2, 1912 – November 27, 2002) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist from New Mexico.

During his tenure, he was one of five non-Southern Republicans in the Senate to vote against the Civil Rights Act 1964.

When it became a chapter of Sigma Pi fraternity Mechem was one of the first alumni to be initiated into the national organization.

[3] He worked as a land surveyor for the United States Bureau of Reclamation in Las Cruces from 1932 to 1935.

He served until November 1964 and resumed his law practice after an unsuccessful run for reelection.

[citation needed] His son, Jesse Mechem, was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, when he died in combat during the Vietnam War.