James Celebrezze

Who is James Celebrezze?

James Patrick Celebrezze is an American politician and jurist of the Ohio Democratic party, who served as a judge of the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, common pleas court. His daughter, Leslie Celebrezze was elected to fill his seat after his retirement.

Celebrezze was elected a judge of the Ohio Supreme Court in 1982, defeating Republican Blanche Krupansky. He was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1984 by J. Craig Wright. His campaign was negatively affected by charges made against the chief justice, Celebrezze's brother Frank Celebrezze.

Celebrezze is the son of Cleveland politician Frank D. Celebrezze I, the nephew of former Johnson cabinet member Anthony Celebrezze, the first cousin of former gubernatorial candidate Anthony J. Celebrezze Jr., the brother of Ohio Chief Justice Frank Celebrezze, and the uncle of Ohio appeals court Judge Frank D. Celebrezze Jr., and the first cousin once removed of Anthony J. Celebrezze III.

Two of Celebrezze's three children have recently began their political careers: daughter Leslie Ann Celebrezze, formerly a Magistrate for Cleveland Municipal Court, is now a judge on the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations bench. His youngest son, Nicholas J.