Preceded by Samuel L. Devine Name Bob Shamansky Resigned January 3, 1983 Allegiance United States Succeeded by John Kasich | Religion Jewish Party Democratic Party Political party Democratic Role American Politician | |
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Full Name Robert Norton Shamansky Born April 18, 1927
Columbus, Ohio ( 1927-04-18 ) Resting place New Agudas Achim Cemetery, Columbus Alma mater Ohio State University
Harvard Law School Died August 11, 2011, Bexley, Ohio, United States Education Harvard Law School, Bexley High School, Ohio State University | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Legend
Robert Norton Shamansky (April 18, 1927 – August 11, 2011) was an American Democratic politician and attorney from the state of Ohio. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for a single term from 1981 until 1983.
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Early life
Shamansky was born in Columbus in 1927. He was a 1947 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1950 graduate of Harvard Law School. He was subsequently admitted to the bar in 1950. He was also a Special Agent in the United States Army's Counter Intelligence Corps from 1950 until 1952.
Political career
In 1966, Shamansky ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, he lost to Republican incumbent Samuel L. Devine.
Fourteen years later, in 1980, Shamansky challenged Devine again. This time, he was successful in unseating the long-time incumbent Devine, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district since 1939. He was also the first Democrat to represent a significant portion of the state capital, Columbus, since 1967.
As a member of the 97th Congress, Shamansky served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Science and Technology Committee.
In 1982, after reapportionment, Shamansky's district absorbed a large chunk of the more Republican-leaning 17th District. He was defeated in his bid for re-election by future Governor of Ohio John Kasich.
In 2006, Shamansky ran for his old congressional seat. However, the 12th had been significantly redrawn since he'd last served in Congress, and he lost to Kasich's successor, Pat Tiberi, by 14 points.
Death
On August 11, 2011, Shamansky died at his home in Bexley, Ohio. He was 84 years of age. Shamansky shot himself at his Miranova residence on August 11 at the age of 84, an act that confounded his family and closest friends.