Merle Franklin Palmer (March 11, 1919 - January 1, 1990)[1] was a state legislator and judge in Mississippi.
He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1960 to 1964[2] and the Mississippi Senate from 1964 to 1970, when he was appointed to the State Circuit Court.
[1][3] He served as president pro tempore of the Mississippi Senate and was acting governor of the state for part of January 1968.
[4][5] He was a leader during desegregation.
[6] He chaired the senate's election committee.