Representative Richard Henry Lehman

Richard Henry “Rick” Lehman (born July 20, 1948) is an American lobbyist and former politician who served six terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from California from 1983 to 1995. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented a Central Valley district during a period of significant political and economic change and was previously a member of the California State Assembly. Over the course of his congressional career, he contributed actively to the legislative process, particularly in the areas of environmental protection, water policy, and consumer affairs.

Lehman was born in Fresno, California, and grew up on his family’s farm near Sanger in the San Joaquin Valley. He attended local public schools before enrolling at Fresno City College, where he quickly became involved in student leadership and politics. In 1968 he served as student body president at Fresno City College, a role that coincided with his early engagement in national politics. That same year he was Fresno County co-chairman of Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s California presidential campaign and served as an alternate delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, experiences that helped shape his long-term commitment to the Democratic Party and public service.

After completing his studies at Fresno City College, Lehman transferred to the University of California, Santa Cruz, from which he earned his degree. His academic years overlapped with a period of intense political and social activism in California and across the country, and he emerged from university with a strong interest in legislative work and public policy. In 1969 he joined the staff of California State Senator George Zenovich, gaining firsthand experience in the workings of state government and the legislative process in Sacramento.

Lehman’s formal political career began in the California State Assembly, where he was elected as a Democrat in 1976. Representing a Central Valley constituency, he rose quickly through the ranks, becoming assistant majority leader by 1978. In the Assembly he developed a reputation as a capable legislator and party leader, building expertise in issues affecting agriculture, water resources, and regional development. His work at the state level laid the foundation for his later focus on environmental and consumer issues in Congress and established him as a prominent Democratic figure in a region that was increasingly competitive politically.

In 1983, following the creation of a new congressional district centered on Fresno, Lehman successfully ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He served as a Representative from California from 1983 to 1995, winning reelection six times and participating actively in the democratic process on behalf of his constituents. During his twelve years in Congress, he was known for his passionate commitments to environmental protection, water policy, and consumer protection, and for his ability to strike delicate balances on these issues in an increasingly conservative Central Valley district. He played instrumental roles in the passage of legislation to protect the Kings and Tuolumne Rivers, in the California Desert Protection Act, in the creation of the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, and in expansions of wilderness areas in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.

Lehman’s committee assignments reflected both his regional interests and his policy priorities. He served on the House Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee, where he chaired the Consumer Affairs and Coinage Subcommittee, and on the Energy and Commerce Committee. He was also a member of the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, chairing its Mining and Mineral Affairs Subcommittee. In addition, he served for twelve years on the Water and Power Subcommittee, where he worked extensively on western water issues and was recognized in 1990 with the distinguished service award from the National Water Resources Association. An avid outdoorsman who frequently visited the Sierra backcountry, he underscored his personal connection to conservation by successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya in 1991.

The political landscape of Lehman’s district changed significantly after the 1990 round of redistricting. His district was renumbered as the 19th District and pushed further to the north and east, incorporating more rural territory in the Sierra Nevada and the more conservative eastern portion of Fresno. At the same time, he lost his share of Stockton to the new 11th District and most of his Latino constituents to the neighboring 20th District. These changes made the district considerably more Republican. In 1992 he narrowly held onto his seat, winning by only about 1,100 votes, prompting widespread speculation that the 19th District would not remain Democratic for long. In 1994, amid the national Republican Revolution, Lehman was swept from office, losing to Republican George Radanovich by a 17-point margin, one of the largest defeats for an incumbent that election cycle.

Following his departure from Congress in 1995, Lehman transitioned to a career in government relations and public affairs. He became a partner in the Sacramento-based lobbying firm Lehman Levi Pappas & Sadler, where he has represented a range of clients on issues related to federal and state policy, drawing on his extensive legislative experience and knowledge of California’s political and economic landscape. He has also remained active in civic and conservation organizations, serving on the board of the National Parks Trusts, the Mono Lake Committee, and the National Council for the Traditional Arts. In addition, he has served on the board of directors of Premier Valley Bank in Fresno, maintaining close ties to his home region and its business community while continuing his engagement with environmental, cultural, and public policy issues.