Anthony J. Celebrezze Jr.
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Anthony Joseph "Tony" Celebrezze Jr. (died July 4, 2003) was an American politician of the Democratic party. He was the son of Anthony J. Celebrezze Sr..
Celebrezze was elected an Ohio state senator in 1974. While in the Ohio General Assembly, he was known for his honesty and fair dealing. He served as Ohio secretary of state from 1979 to 1983 and as Ohio attorney general from 1983 to 1991. In 1978, Celebrezze defeated incumbent Republican Ted W. Brown in the election for Ohio secretary of state. In 1982, Celebrezze won election as attorney general by defeating Republican Charles R. Saxbe. Celebrezze easily won re-election as attorney general in 1986 by defeating Barry Levey.
In 1990, Celebrezze ran for governor to replace Richard F. Celeste, who was barred from running for a third consecutive term. Celebrezze lost that race to Republican George Voinovich. Some analysts attribute his loss, in part, to Celebrezze's much-criticized switch from his long-held anti-abortion views to a pro-choice position.
Celebrezze died on July 4, 2003, of a heart attack after driving in a vintage auto race at a racing track in De Graff, Ohio.
Celebrezze's brothers were former Ohio Chief Justice Frank Celebrezze and former Ohio Supreme Court Judge James Celebrezze. Celebrezze was the father of Anthony J. Celebrezze III and the uncle of Ohio appeals court judge Frank D. Celebrezze Jr.. His uncle was Frank D. Celebrezze I.
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| Preceded by: William J. Brown | Ohio Attorney General 1983-1991 | Succeeded by: Lee Fisher |
| Preceded by: Ted W. Brown | Ohio Secretary of State 1979-1983 | Succeeded by: Sherrod Brown |