Melvin Cottrell (March 31, 1929 – October 9, 2002) was an American Republican Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992 until his death in 2002.
He represented the 30th Legislative District, which included portions of Burlington, Monmouth, Mercer and Ocean counties.
[2] Cottrell was an advocate for senior citizens and the disabled, and proposed legislation to require hearing aid coverage by health insurance companies.
[1] Together with Joseph J. Roberts and Robert Singer, Cottrell sponsored legislation that would allow sports betting in Atlantic City casinos on professional and college sports, but would exclude wagering on games played by New Jersey colleges.
[1] In November 2002, Republican County Committee representatives from the 30th District chose Ronald S. Dancer, mayor of Plumsted Township to fill the vacancy created by Cottrell's death; Dancer defeated Howell Township Councilmember Joseph DiBella by a 106–72 margin in voting by county committee heads.