Richard H. Lehman
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| Richard H. Lehman | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Thomas |
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| Succeeded by | George Radanovich |
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| Born | June 20, 1948 Fresno, California |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Virginia Lehman |
| Religion | Lutheran |
Richard Henry Lehman (born July 20, 1948) is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from California who served from 1983 to 1995; he was previously a member of the California State Assembly.
Lehman was born in Fresno, California and attended local public schools. He attended Fresno City College before transferring to the University of California at Santa Cruz from which he earned his degree. Upon graduating from college, he enlisted as a reservist in the National Guard and received a job as a staff member for California State Senator George Zenovich. In 1976, Lehman was elected to the State Assembly as a Democrat. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming assistant majority leader by 1978. In 1983, he successfully ran for a seat in Congress. Lehman served six terms, until he was defeated during the Republican Revolution of 1994 by George Radanovich.
Lehman was known in Congress for his passionate commitments to important causes such as environmental protection, recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and gun control. He was able to strike delicate balances on many of these issues, a particularly important skill given the increasingly conservative nature of his Fresno-based congressional district. His notable successes include playing instrumental roles in passage of laws to protect the Kings and Tuolumne Rivers, the California Desert Protection Act, and expansions of wilderness areas in the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.
Lehman is currently a partner for the Sacramento-based lobbying firm Lehman and English. He also serves as a member of the board of the National Parks Trusts, the Mono Lakes Committee, and is on the board of directors of Premier Valley Bank in Fresno.
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| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Ernest N. Mobley |
California State Assemblyman, 31st District 1976-1982 |
Succeeded by Bruce Bronzan |
| Preceded by Bill Thomas |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 18th congressional district 1983–1993 |
Succeeded by Gary Condit |
| Preceded by Robert J. Lagomarsino |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 19th congressional district 1993–1995 |
Succeeded by George Radanovich |
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