# Lee Fisher

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American lawyer, academic, public servant and charity officer

Lee Fisher Fisher in 2010 10th President of Baldwin Wallace University Incumbent Assumed office July 1, 2025 Preceded by Robert C. Helmer 64th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio In office January 8, 2007 – January 10, 2011 Governor Ted Strickland Preceded by Bruce Johnson Succeeded by Mary Taylor 44th Attorney General of Ohio In office January 14, 1991 – January 9, 1995 Governor George Voinovich Preceded by Tony Celebrezze Succeeded by Betty Montgomery Member of the Ohio Senate from the 25th district In office January 3, 1983 – December 31, 1990 Preceded by Paul Matia Succeeded by Eric Fingerhut Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 16th district In office January 3, 1981 – December 31, 1982 Preceded by Harry Lehman Succeeded by Judy Sheerer Personal details Born Lee Irwin Fisher (1951-08-07) August 7, 1951 (age 74) Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. Party Democratic Spouse Peggy Zone Children 2 Education Oberlin College (BA) Case Western Reserve University (JD, MA)

**Lee Irwin Fisher** (born August 7, 1951) is an American attorney, politician, and academic. A member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)), he served as the 64th [lieutenant governor of Ohio](/source/Lieutenant_governor_of_Ohio) under governor [Ted Strickland](/source/Ted_Strickland) from 2007 until 2011. Fisher previously served as the 44th [attorney general of Ohio](/source/Ohio_Attorney_General) from 1991 to 1995, and as a member of the [Ohio General Assembly](/source/Ohio_General_Assembly) from 1981 to 1990.

Fisher was the Democratic nominee in the [1998 Ohio gubernatorial election](/source/1998_Ohio_gubernatorial_election) and [2010 United States Senate election in Ohio](/source/2010_United_States_Senate_election_in_Ohio). After his political career, Fisher served as the dean of [Cleveland State University College of Law](/source/Cleveland_State_University_College_of_Law) from 2016 to 2025, and as president of [Baldwin Wallace University](/source/Baldwin_Wallace_University) since 2025.

## Early life and education

Fisher graduated from [Oberlin College](/source/Oberlin_College) in 1973 and earned a [Juris Doctor](/source/Juris_Doctor) from the [Case Western Reserve University School of Law](/source/Case_Western_Reserve_University_School_of_Law) in 1976. He graduated from the [Weatherhead School of Management](/source/Weatherhead_School_of_Management) Professional Fellows Program in 1996. In 2004, he received his master's degree in nonprofit organization from the Case Western Reserve University Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations.

## Career

Fisher during his tenure as a state senator

After graduation from law school, Fisher was a [law clerk](/source/Law_clerk) for Judge [Paul C. Weick](/source/Paul_C._Weick) of the [U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit](/source/U.S._Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Sixth_Circuit) from 1976 to 1977. In 1978, was an instructor in legal research, writing, and advocacy at [Cleveland-Marshall College of Law](/source/Cleveland_State_University_College_of_Law) and joined the Cleveland law firm of Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP. Fisher remained as [of counsel](/source/Of_counsel) to the law firm until his 1990 election as Ohio Attorney General; he rejoined as a partner in 1995 and remained until he was selected CEO of the Center for Families and Children in 1999.

At the age of 29, Fisher was elected to the [Ohio House of Representatives](/source/Ohio_House_of_Representatives) in 1980. He served as a state representative for two years before being elected to the [Ohio Senate](/source/Ohio_Senate) in 1982. He was named " Outstanding Freshman Legislator" by Columbus Monthly magazine in 1982. In 1983 he was named a Chase Public Leadership Fellow and attended the Harvard Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

Fisher was elected [Attorney General of Ohio](/source/Attorney_General_of_Ohio) in 1990, defeating [Paul Pfeifer](/source/Paul_Pfeifer) in the only statewide election in Ohio history to trigger a statewide recount.[1] In 1992, Fisher was elected a [presidential elector](/source/United_States_Electoral_College) for Ohio.[2] Fisher served as attorney general from 1991 to 1995, narrowly losing his bid for re-election in 1994 to Republican [Betty Montgomery](/source/Betty_Montgomery). In 1998, Fisher [ran for governor](/source/1998_Ohio_gubernatorial_election) but lost to Republican [Bob Taft](/source/Bob_Taft), 50%–45%.

Joining the ticket of Democratic gubernatorial candidate [Ted Strickland](/source/Ted_Strickland), Fisher [was elected lieutenant governor in 2006](/source/2006_Ohio_gubernatorial_election).[3] The Ohio gubernatorial campaign was captured in the 2008 documentary film *Swing State*, which was directed by (his son) Jason Zone-Fisher, John Intrater, and H. Spencer Young.[4]

### 2010 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: [2010 United States Senate election in Ohio](/source/2010_United_States_Senate_election_in_Ohio)

In February 2009, Fisher announced his campaign to replace [George Voinovich](/source/George_Voinovich) in the [U.S. Senate](/source/United_States_Senate).[5] On May 4, 2010, Fisher won the Democratic primary, defeating Ohio Secretary of State [Jennifer Brunner](/source/Jennifer_Brunner).[6]

In the general election on November 2, 2010, Fisher faced Republican nominee [Rob Portman](/source/Rob_Portman), a former Cincinnati congressman and Bush administration official.[6] Portman received 57% of the votes to Fisher's 39%. Fisher carried only six of Ohio's 88 counties and three of 18 congressional districts.[7]

United States Senate election in Ohio, 2010[8] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Robert Jones Portman 2,168,742 56.85% −6.61% Democratic Lee Irwin Fisher 1,503,297 39.40% +2.85% Constitution Eric Deaton 65,856 1.72% N/A Independent Michael Pryce 50,101 1.31% N/A Socialist Daniel LaBotz 26,454 0.69% N/A N/A Arthur Sullivan (write-in) 648 0.02% N/A Majority 665,445 17.44% Total votes 3,815,098 100.00% Republican hold Swing NA

### Higher education administration

In 2016, Fisher was appointed interim dean of [Cleveland State University](/source/Cleveland_State_University)'s Cleveland–Marshall College of Law (now the [Cleveland State University College of Law](/source/Cleveland_State_University_College_of_Law)) for the 2016–17 academic year. On May 3, 2017, Fisher was named permanent dean after a national search. Fisher's tenure focused on leadership in the law, establishing the Cleveland-Marshall Hall of Fame, increased fundraising, and raising the school's national profile.[9] Beginning in 2018, Fisher began teaching a course on leadership and helped establish the P. Kelly Tompkins Leadership and Law Program.[10]

On February 10, 2025, Fisher was named the 10th president of [Baldwin Wallace University](/source/Baldwin_Wallace_University), effective July 1, 2025. The appointment came after a national search. Upon accepting the position, Fisher emphasized BW's commitment to career readiness, character development, and affordable education as key institutional priorities.[11]

## Personal life

Fisher is married to Peggy Zone Fisher. He has two adult children, including the sports journalist Jason Zone Fisher.[4][12] He has served on two public company boards: Rex Stores (now [Rex American Resources](/source/Rex_American_Resources)) and [Office Max](/source/Office_Max) (before it was sold to [Boise Cascade](/source/Boise_Cascade)).

## Electoral history

Election results Year Office Election Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes % 1980 State House General Lee Fisher Democratic ? ? Kent Minshall Republican Party ? ? 1982 State Senate General Lee Fisher Democratic ? ? Ben Skall Republican Party ? ? 1986 State Senate General Lee Fisher Democratic ? ? Unopposed in primary and general elections ? ? ? 1990 Attorney General Primary Lee Fisher Democratic 394,332 62% Charles T. Brown Democratic 246,729 38% 1990 Attorney General General Lee Fisher Democratic 1,680,698 50% Paul E. Pfeifer Republican 1,679,464 50% 1994 Attorney General Primary Lee Fisher Democratic 739,724 100% 1994 Attorney General General Lee Fisher Democratic 1,625,247 49% Betty Montgomery Republican 1,716,451 51% 1998 Governor Primary Lee Fisher Democratic 663,832 100% 1998 Governor General Lee Fisher Democratic 1,498,956 45% Bob Taft Republican 1,678,721 50% John Mitchel Reform 111,468 3% Zanna Feitler Independent 65,068 2% 2006 Lieutenant Governor General Lee Fisher Democratic 2,435,505 61% Thomas A. Raga Republican 1,474,331 37% Mark Noble Libertarian 71,473 2% Anita Rios Green 40,967 1% * 2010 U.S. Senator Primary Lee Fisher Democratic 380,189 56% Jennifer Brunner Democratic 304,026 44% 2010 U.S. Senator General Lee Fisher Democratic 1,448,092 39% Rob Portman Republican 2,125,810 57.25% Eric Deaton Constitution 64,017 1.72% Michael Pryce Independent 48,653 1.31% Dan La Botz Socialist 25,368 0.68%

Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2006, James Lundeen received 579 votes and Larry Bays received 73 votes.

## See also

- [List of Jewish American jurists](/source/List_of_Jewish_American_jurists)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [hosted.ap.org](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/pre-election/bios/60425.html?SITE=NPRELN&SECTION=PREELECTION&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Presidential Electors: November 3, 1992 - Ohio Secretary of State"](https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/election-results-and-data/1990-1999-official-election-results/presidential-electors-november-3-1992/#gref). *www.sos.state.oh.us*. Retrieved March 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Strickland names Lee Fisher as running mate in governor's race.](http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/01/23/daily44.html?jst=b_ln_hl) *Business Courier of Cincinnati.* January 26, 2006.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) Julie Washington, cleveland com (November 13, 2008). ["Jason Fisher makes personal documentary of Ohio lieutenant governor father"](https://www.cleveland.com/movies/2008/11/jason_fisher_makes_personal_do.html). *cleveland*. Retrieved December 7, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Naymik, Mark. [Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher joins the race for U.S. Senate seat](http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2009/02/wait_a_minute_fisher_says_hes.html), *[The Plain Dealer](/source/The_Plain_Dealer)*, February 17, 2009

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cleveland1_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cleveland1_6-1) Naymik, Mark. [Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher raises another $550,000 for Senate campaign, starts spending it on commercials.](http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2010/04/lt_gov_lee_fisher_raises_anoth.html) *[The Plain Dealer](/source/The_Plain_Dealer).* April 14, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Portman Is GOP's Point Man in Ohio : Roll Call"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110318113724/http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_97/-204148-1.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_97/-204148-1.html) on March 18, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-General_8-0)** ["State of Ohio 2010 General Election November 2, 2010 Unofficial Results"](http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20111109051100/http%3A//vote%2Esos%2Estate%2Eoh%2Eus/pls/enrpublic/f?p%3D130%3A6%3A0). *Ohio Secretary of State*. November 2, 2010. Archived from [the original](http://vote.sos.state.oh.us/pls/enrpublic/f?p=130:6:0) on November 9, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["C|M|LAW Hall of Fame Members | Cleveland-Marshall College of Law"](https://www.law.csuohio.edu/alumnigiving/hof/members).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["C|M|LAW P. Kelly Tompkins Leadership and Law Program | Cleveland-Marshall College of Law"](https://www.law.csuohio.edu/academics/leadership). August 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Salamone, Shawn (February 10, 2025). ["Baldwin Wallace University names Lee Fisher 10th President"](https://www.bw.edu/news/2025/02/baldwin-wallace-university-names-lee-fisher-10th-president).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Carroll, Ed (February 28, 2019). ["Former Shaker Heights journalist reports from AAF sidelines"](https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/sports/former-shaker-heights-journalist-reports-from-aaf-sidelines/article_fc1bb2fa-3ab0-11e9-9d27-638518f7796f.html). *Cleveland Jewish News*. Retrieved December 7, 2025.

## External links

- [Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher](https://web.archive.org/web/20100425040904/http://governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=57) *official government site*

- [Lee Fisher for U.S. Senate](http://www.fisherforohio.com/) *official campaign site*

- [Financial information (federal office)](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S0OH00158) at the [Federal Election Commission](/source/Federal_Election_Commission)

- [Profile](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/23452) at [Vote Smart](/source/Vote_Smart)

- [1996, 1998 campaign contributions](http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=13871) at the National Institute for Money in State Politics (Attorney General, Governor)

- [2010 campaign contributions](http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?cycle=2010&id=OHS2) at OpenSecrets.org

Offices and distinctions Ohio House of Representatives Preceded by Harry Lehman Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 16th district January 3, 1981 – December 31, 1982 Succeeded by Judy Sheerer Ohio Senate Preceded by Paul Matia Member of the Ohio Senate from the 25th district January 3, 1983 – December 31, 1990 Succeeded by Eric Fingerhut Party political offices Preceded by Tony Celebrezze Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Ohio 1990, 1994 Succeeded by Richard Cordray Preceded by Rob Burch Democratic nominee for Governor of Ohio 1998 Succeeded by Tim Hagan Preceded by Charleta Tavares Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio 2006 Succeeded by Yvette McGee Brown Preceded by Eric Fingerhut Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Ohio (Class 3) 2010 Succeeded by Ted Strickland Legal offices Preceded by Tony Celebrezze Attorney General of Ohio January 14, 1991 – January 9, 1995 Succeeded by Betty Montgomery Political offices Preceded by Bruce Johnson Lieutenant Governor of Ohio January 8, 2007 – January 10, 2011 Succeeded by Mary Taylor

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lee Fisher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Fisher) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Fisher?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.