Neal Zimmers
Encyclopedia
Neal Zimmers is an Ohio Democratic
politician and a former member of the Ohio Senate
. An attorney, Zimmers initially opted to run for elected office in 1974, when he challenged Senator Clara Weisenborn
for the Fifth District. A competitive district, Weisenborn was initially favored, but Zimmers went on to defeat her to take the seat. He won reelection easily in 1978. By 1980 in the 114th General Assembly
, Zimmers had become assistant minority leader.
By 1982, Zimmers was being mentioned as a potential candidate for Ohio Lieutenant Governor, but he ended up running for a third term in the Senate. With Democrats taking majority of the Senate in 1983, Zimmers was elected President pro tempore
. After Democrats then lost control in 1985, Zimmers again served as assistant minority leader. He was reelected in 1986.
Elected again in 1990, Zimmers was ousted from leadership, along with Harry Meshel
, and was replaced by Alan Zaleski
. After the 1992 elections, Zimmers again tried to attain a leadership post, but fell one vote short.
In 1994, Zimmers announced that he would run to succeed Howard Metzenbaum
in the United States Senate
. However, he dropped out after not receiving the endorsement of the Ohio Democratic Party
. With his current state Senate seat up for reelection as well, Zimmers would leave public office at the end of 1994. While his term officially ended on December 31, 1994, Zimmers resigned early so his successor, Rhine McLin
, would have seniority.
Following his time in the Senate, Zimmers has returned to private practice as an attorney, is a registered lobbyist, and is active in other state government ventures.
Ohio Democratic Party
The Ohio Democratic Party is the Ohio affiliate to the United States Democratic Party. Former Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern is the Ohio Democratic Party chairman. Redfern was elected to office in December 2005...
politician and a former member of the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
. An attorney, Zimmers initially opted to run for elected office in 1974, when he challenged Senator Clara Weisenborn
Clara Weisenborn
Clara E. Weisenborn was a Republican Ohio politician who served in the Ohio General Assembly. Born in Dayton, Weisenborn was a journalist by trade for the Journal Herald, a prominent Dayton newspaper. She was initially elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1952, and served seven...
for the Fifth District. A competitive district, Weisenborn was initially favored, but Zimmers went on to defeat her to take the seat. He won reelection easily in 1978. By 1980 in the 114th General Assembly
114th Ohio General Assembly
The 114th Ohio General Assembly was the legislative body of the state of Ohio in 1981 and 1982. In this General Assembly, both the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives were controlled by the Republican Party. In the Senate, there were 21 Republicans and 12 Democrats. In the House,...
, Zimmers had become assistant minority leader.
By 1982, Zimmers was being mentioned as a potential candidate for Ohio Lieutenant Governor, but he ended up running for a third term in the Senate. With Democrats taking majority of the Senate in 1983, Zimmers was elected President pro tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
. After Democrats then lost control in 1985, Zimmers again served as assistant minority leader. He was reelected in 1986.
Elected again in 1990, Zimmers was ousted from leadership, along with Harry Meshel
Harry Meshel
Harry Meshel is a former American Democrat politician who served as the president of the Ohio State Senate and chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party...
, and was replaced by Alan Zaleski
Alan Zaleski
Alan Zaleski was a member of the Ohio Senate from 1982 to 1998, representing the 13th District, which encompasses much of Lorain County, Ohio. By 1998, Zaleski faced term limits, and was subsequently succeeded by Jeff Armbruster, a Republican.-External links:...
. After the 1992 elections, Zimmers again tried to attain a leadership post, but fell one vote short.
In 1994, Zimmers announced that he would run to succeed Howard Metzenbaum
Howard Metzenbaum
Howard Morton Metzenbaum was an American politician who served for almost 20 years as a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from Ohio . He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate from 1943 to 1951.-Early life:Metzenbaum was born in Cleveland, to a poor Jewish family, the son...
in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. However, he dropped out after not receiving the endorsement of the Ohio Democratic Party
Ohio Democratic Party
The Ohio Democratic Party is the Ohio affiliate to the United States Democratic Party. Former Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern is the Ohio Democratic Party chairman. Redfern was elected to office in December 2005...
. With his current state Senate seat up for reelection as well, Zimmers would leave public office at the end of 1994. While his term officially ended on December 31, 1994, Zimmers resigned early so his successor, Rhine McLin
Rhine McLin
Rhine Lana McLin is an American Democratic politician from Ohio. McLin received her Bachelor of Arts in sociology and secondary education from Parsons College and her Master of Education in guidance counseling from Xavier University...
, would have seniority.
Following his time in the Senate, Zimmers has returned to private practice as an attorney, is a registered lobbyist, and is active in other state government ventures.