Protecting Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens – that’s been the chief focus of Betty Montgomery’s distinguished career in public service. Guided by that priority, she has prosecuted criminals, helped victims, protected taxpayers, and reshaped Ohio law.

Betty Montgomery previously served as Ohio’s first woman Auditor of State, as Ohio’s first woman Attorney General, as State Senator, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney (the only woman prosecutor in the state), Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Perrysburg, Assistant Wood County Prosecuting Attorney, and Criminal Clerk for the Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Montgomery’s long career in public service has included a number of highlights and awards. A dedicated crime-fighter from her earliest days in the workforce, she directed a 250 percent increase in the felony conviction rate of the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office. As State Senator from the 2nd District in northwest Ohio, Betty Montgomery drafted far-reaching legislation that continues to make a positive difference in our state. Her work included Ohio’s first Living Will law, Ohio’s first brownfields legislation, and Ohio’s Victim’s Rights Law. During her years in the Senate, she served on many committees, including service as chair of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, and vice-chair of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission.

As Ohio Attorney General, Betty Montgomery dramatically increased state support for local law enforcement, as well as rebuilt all of Ohio’s crime labs, introduced DNA and 21st century technology to Ohio, thus helping the office join just four percent of the nation’s law enforcement agencies by earning accreditation for both the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. At all times during her service as Attorney General, she emphasized protection of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens – senior citizens, youth, and crime victims. Her office also received national recognition for excellence in service and advocacy in many areas including legal work before the U.S. Supreme Court. This commitment reflected itself in her Consumer Section which was recognized in 2000 as being the nation’s most outstanding consumer protection agency in the country by the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA). Additionally, her Senior Citizen Initiative was one of five agencies (and the only public agency) recognized by the American Bar Association with the national “Pro Bono” Award in 2002.

Betty Montgomery is a graduate of Bowling Green State University (1970) and the University of Toledo College of Law (1976).