Harry J. Lehman

Peggy and I want to express our deepest condolences to Patty, Sara, Adam, Matt, Ali, and the entire family. Harry was known in the 1970´s as the smartest state legislator in Ohio, and he was probably the most effective Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in Ohio history. A brilliant legislator and lawyer, he was a role model for me and many other legislators.

Harry was instrumental in my public service career, and I will always be very grateful for his mentorship, friendship, and support. When Harry announced in 1979 his decision to retire from the Ohio House of Representatives, there was a mad scramble of candidates in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland who entered the race to fill his seat. All of us fervently sought Harry´s coveted endorsement. Harry formed a screening committee of political luminaries who interviewed every Democratic candidate, and Harry, who chaired the committee, grilled each of us as only Harry could. I was a green 28- year-old lawyer, and it felt harder than any course I had taken in law school! When Harry decided to endorse my candidacy, all but one candidate dropped out of the primary race. I believe that Harry´s endorsement was the main reason I won my first election in 1980. He will be missed by all of us who had the great privilege to know him.