Leigh Ellsworth Herington, born in 1945, was raised in Rochester, New York. He attended Alfred State College in New York, then transferred to Kent State University where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration in 1967 and 1971, respectively. He served a short time in the U.S. Army in 1968 and 1969. Herington furthered his education by obtaining a law degree from the University of Akron in 1976. He also worked in various positions at local colleges and universities, including Kent State University. In the late 1970's he began working as an attorney at the Aurora, Ohio law firm of Christley, Herington and Pierce. Herington has also had prominent roles in various organizations. In 1981 he was the president of the Crestwood Board of Education and he was also the president of the Portage County United Way in 1985. For four years, he served as the Portage County Democratic Chairman before resigning in 1994. In 1995 he was elected to the Ohio State Senate by the Senate Democratic Caucus to replace the retiring Democrat, Robert Nettle and to represent District 28. He held his position as a State Senator through 2002 and during his tenure, Herington became Assistant Minority Whip (1996), Assistant Minority Leader (1999) and Minority Leader in 2001. Not only did he have these prominent roles in the Senate, but he also served on many committees throughout the years, including: Ways and Means, Legislative Service Commission, Rules and various others. He and his wife, Anita, have two daughters.
From the guide to the Leigh Herington papers, 1953-2003, 1995-2002, (Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.)
