Ben Espy
Ben Espy | |
|---|---|
 Espy in 2007 | |
| Member of the Ohio Senate from the 15th district | |
| In office April 21, 1992 – December 31, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Pfeiffer |
| Succeeded by | Ray Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 12, 1943 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 2025 (aged 81) Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kathy Duffy |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Howard University Ohio State University Sandusky High School |
Bennie Eugene Espy[1] (July 12, 1943 – January 4, 2025) was an American Democratic politician who served in the Ohio Senate. A member of Columbus City Council from 1982 to 1992, Espy went on to obtain an appointment to the Ohio Senate after Senator Richard Pfeiffer resigned in 1992.[2] He won election to fill the remainder of the term in 1992, and to a full term in 1994. In 1984, during his time on the Columbus City Council, Espy was struck by a falling cornice from an aging building, which caused his right leg to be severed below the knee.[3][4]
By 1994, Espy was chosen to serve as assistant Senate minority leader,[5] and by 1996, he was minority leader. He won a second term in 1998.
In 1999, Espy challenged Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman in the primary for mayor, but lost. He subsequently resigned his minority leader post, and served the remainder of his term in the Senate as a lame duck. Term limited in 2002, he left office and was replaced by Ray Miller.
Espy returned to private law practice, and also went on to serve as a special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. He resided in Columbus, Ohio, and was a Prince Hall Freemason.[6]
Espy died in Columbus on January 4, 2025, at the age of 81.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Bennie Espy". Sandusky Register. January 10, 2025.
- ^ "Legislative Roundup". Portsmouth Daily Times. Portsmouth, Ohio. January 8, 1992. p. A3. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ "Lawrence Journal-World Google News Archive Search". Google News Archive. June 29, 1984. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-Buckeye Player, Politician Overcomes Accident That Took Leg". 10tv.com. November 5, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Democrats Elect Minority Leaders". Portsmouth Daily Times. Portsmouth, Ohio. December 1, 1994. p. A1. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Gray, David (2012). The History of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio F&AM 1971 – 2011: The Fabric of Freemasonry. Columbus, Ohio: Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio F&AM. p. 414. ISBN 978-0615632957.
- ^ "Former state senator, Columbus City Councilmember Ben Espy passes away: 'Remarkable leader and advocate'". 10TV. January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
Further reading
[edit]- Powers, Scott (October 5, 1990). "Espy Believes Time Ripe For Mayoral Bid". The Columbus Dispatch. The Dispatch Printing Co. p. 08C.
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