Paul Leonard (politician)

Paul R. Leonard
58th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
In office January 12, 1987 – January 14, 1991
Governor	Dick Celeste
Preceded by	Myrl Shoemaker
Succeeded by	Mike DeWine
Mayor of Dayton
In office 1982–1986
Preceded by	James H. McGee
Succeeded by	Richard Clay Dixon
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 37th district
In office January 3, 1973 – December 31, 1980
Preceded by	Tony P. Hall
Succeeded by	Larry Balweg
Personal details
Born	(1943-07-03) July 3, 1943 Dayton, Ohio
Political party	Democratic

Paul R. Leonard (born July 3, 1943) is an American politician who is a prominent member the Ohio Democratic Party. He formerly served as the mayor of Dayton and Lieutenant Governor of Ohio.

Education

Leonard graduated from Ohio University with a B.A. in journalism in 1965 and received his J.D. from Northern Kentucky University in 1969.

Political career

Leonard was elected four times to seats in the Ohio General Assembly. After his time in the Ohio General Assembly he then served as mayor of Dayton, Ohio, from 1982 to 1986. After finishing his term as mayor he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 1986 on the ticket with Richard F. Celeste. He served as the 58th Lieutenant Governor from 1987 to 1991.

While mayor of Dayton, Leonard was known as outgoing and youth-oriented, sometimes called "the Rock 'N' Roll Mayor of Dayton." He played the electric guitar and appeared in television commercials.

After his tenure as lieutenant governor, Leonard returned to Dayton to practice law. He founded the Center for Animal Law and Advocacy, a legal team that advocates for harsher penalties for those who mistreat animals.

In addition to his law practice, Leonard formerly taught in the political science departments at both Wright State University and the University of Dayton. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. He currently lives in Florida, but commutes to Dayton to teach his classes.

References

• "Back From the Fringe", Animal Legal Defense Fund, July 19, 2002. Retrieved Apr 19, 2011.

Political offices
Preceded by Myrl Shoemaker	Lieutenant Governor of Ohio January 12, 1987 – January 14, 1991	Succeeded by Mike DeWine
Preceded by James McGee	Mayor of Dayton, Ohio 1982–1986	Succeeded by Richard Clay Dixon