oh_gov_FISHER
FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL LEE FISHER
Age: 47 Born: August 7, 1951; Ann Arbor, Michigan Education: Case Western Reserve Law School, J.D. (1976); Oberlin College, B.A. (1973) Military: None Family: Married - Peggy Zone; Two children Hometown: Shaker Heights, Ohio Religion: Jewish Career: Practicing attorney (1995-present); Attorney General (1991-94); OH State Senator (1983-90); OH General Assembly (1981-82) |
• Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Fisher grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, nearby where his family owned a clothing store. He got an early start on his political career in 1962 when he was elected president of his elementary school.
• He graduated from Oberlin College in 1973 and briefly taught in public school before heading off to attend Case Western Reserve Law School. Fisher was the first person ever to receive Case WesternÂ's 'Distinguished Recent Graduate Award.' After finishing law school, he served as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
• Fisher was elected to the state General Assembly in 1980. He served one term and was voted OhioÂ's 'Outstanding Freshman Legislator' in a poll of his colleagues and press covering the Statehouse. In 1982, he ran and was elected to the State Senate, where he spent eight years. During his decade in the state legislature, he was named 'Legislator of the Year' by more than a dozen different organizations.
• Fisher ran for Attorney General in 1990, and he was elected by just 1,234 votes over Republican Paul Pfeifer. As OhioÂ's chief law enforcement officer, he earned praise for his innovative approaches to crime-fighting. One program, 'Operation Windfall,' became the largest sting operation in the country, nabbing 1,100 fugitives when they came to collect money offered to them by the state. Fisher was one of ClintonÂ's earliest supporters durinthe 1992 presidential campaign.
• In 1994, Fisher sought re-election, but he was defeated by State Senator Betty Montgomery. He had angered many Democrats by challenging then-Governor CelesteÂ's commutations of several death row inmates. Political analysts also point to campaign ads he ran attacking his challengerÂ's record on prosecuting domestic violence cases, a tactic that may have backfired.
• After losing re-election, Fisher went into private practice and teaching. In 1995, he was appointed by President Clinton to chair the National Commission on Crime Control and Prevention. In January 1997, Fisher revealed that he had raised more than $1 million and planned to run for governor. He faced no major competition for the nomination.