Dennis Michael Richardson (July 30, 1949 – February 26, 2019) was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the 26th Secretary of State of Oregon from 2017 until his death in 2019. Richardson was from Central Point, Oregon and served six terms in the Oregon House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party. He represented House District 4, which included portions of Jackson and Josephine counties, and was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2014 election, losing to incumbent Democrat John Kitzhaber.
Dennis Richardson | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) | |
| 26th Secretary of State of Oregon | |
| In office January 2, 2017 – February 26, 2019 | |
| Governor | Kate Brown |
| Preceded by | Jeanne Atkins |
| Succeeded by | Leslie Cummings (acting) |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 4th district | |
| In office January 2003 – January 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Cherryl Walker |
| Succeeded by | Duane Stark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dennis Michael Richardson July 30, 1949 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 26, 2019 (aged 69) Central Point, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Cathy Richardson |
| Children | 9 |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BA, JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
In 2016, Richardson was the successful Republican nominee for Oregon Secretary of State, defeating Democratic candidate Brad Avakian with 47% of the vote to Avakian's 43%. As of 2024, he is the most recent Republican to have been elected to statewide office in Oregon.
Early life & education
editThe son of a carpenter, Richardson grew up in Southeast Los Angeles. He moved permanently to Oregon in 1979.[1] Richardson was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He enlisted in the United States Army's Warrant Officer Helicopter Pilot Training Program. During his 1971 deployment, he flew combat missions out of Chu Lai, Vietnam. The South Vietnamese Army awarded him its Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.[2]
Richardson earned his bachelor's and law degrees at Brigham Young University.[3]
Career
editEarly career
editAfter law school, Richardson set up his legal practice in Central Point, Oregon, where he worked for more than 30 years before retiring in 2010.[4]
In 1984, Richardson was invited by the Reagan Administration to participate at the White House in a series of briefings by President Ronald Reagan and his Cabinet. Richardson served as Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party’s Second Congressional District in 1996–2000, and Treasurer of the Oregon Republican Party from 1999 to 2003. In 2000, Richardson was recruited to serve on the Central Point City Council, which helped inspire his decision to run for the Oregon State Legislature.[5]
Oregon Legislature
editRichardson was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2002, where he served for 12 years.[6]
In his second term, Richardson was elected by unanimous vote of both Democratic and Republican colleagues as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Oregon House of Representatives’ 73rd Legislative Session (2005) and chosen to oversee multibillion-dollar health and human service budgets as Chair of the Joint Senate–House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.
In his third term, Richardson was reelected and served in the 74th Legislative Assembly (2007), where he was selected to serve as the minority whip and as vice-chair of the House Health Care Policy Committee.
Prior to the opening of the 2011 session, Richardson served on the Republican negotiations team and helped craft the "Oregon Co-Governance Model." Later in 2011, Richardson was selected to oversee the $55 billion combined state budgets as co-chair of the Full Joint Senate–House Ways and Means Committee.
2014 gubernatorial campaign
editIn July 2013, Richardson announced his candidacy as a Republican candidate for the Governor of Oregon in 2014, with a strong focus on small business growth in the state.[7] He won the nomination with 65% of the vote.[8] Richardson went on to lose the 2014 general election to Democratic incumbent, John Kitzhaber, who was elected to his fourth non-consecutive term as governor.
In the concluding weeks of the campaign, Richardson emphasized the corruption of Governor Kitzhaber and his administration and called for a federal investigation with a 13-page letter sent to the Federal Prosecutor in Portland, Oregon.[9] Although insufficient to turn the tide on election day, newly re-elected Governor John Kitzhaber announced his resignation three months later on February 13, 2015.[10]
Secretary of State
edit.jpg)
In October 2015, Richardson announced he would be running for Oregon Secretary of State in 2016, hoping to replace Democratic incumbent Jeanne Atkins, who had been appointed by Governor Kate Brown following Brown's ascension to the state's highest office due to then current Governor John Kitzhaber resigning amid an ethics scandal involving his fiancée.[11] Atkins declined to seek election in the upcoming 2016 election. Unlike many states, Oregon does not have an office for lieutenant governor, therefore the secretary of state is first in line of succession to the governor. He defeated his opponent, Brad Avakian, in the 2016 election.
He was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Oregon since 2002, the first Republican to be elected Oregon Secretary of State since Norma Paulus was reelected in 1980, and the only Republican to hold statewide office in Oregon. Richardson was administered the oath of office on December 30, 2016,[12] and formally took office on January 2, 2017.[12][13][14]
Personal life and death
editFollowing his honorable discharge from the Army, Richardson and his wife Cathy were married. His first marriage to Diane, produced a son, and his second marriage to Cathy resulted in eight daughters.[15]
In May 2018, Richardson was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer.[16] He died from the effects of that illness on February 26, 2019, in Central Point, Oregon, aged 69.[17][18]
Richardson was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[19][20]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 13,919 | 60.36 | |
| Democratic | Shayne Maxwell | 9,050 | 39.25 | |
| Other | 91 | 0.39 | ||
| Total votes | 23,060 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 6,432 | 98.80 | |
| Republican | Other | 78 | 1.20 | |
| Total votes | 6,510 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 21,649 | 70.58 | |
| Democratic | Richard Koopmans | 8,937 | 29.13 | |
| Other | 88 | 0.30 | ||
| Total votes | 30,674 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 6,248 | 98.69 | |
| Republican | Other | 83 | 1.31 | |
| Total votes | 6,331 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 16,604 | 69.50 | |
| Democratic | Richard Koopmans | 7,214 | 30.20 | |
| Other | 71 | 0.30 | ||
| Total votes | 23,889 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 6,996 | 87.64 | |
| Republican | Ronald Schutz | 962 | 12.05 | |
| Republican | Other | 25 | 0.31 | |
| Total votes | 7,983 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dennis Richardson (write-in) | 73 | 29.92 | |
| Democratic | Other | 171 | 70.08 | |
| Total votes | 244 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 19,641 | 70.63 | |
| Independent Party | Keith Wangle | 8,053 | 28.95 | |
| Other | 116 | 0.42 | ||
| Total votes | 27,810 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 6,307 | 99.28 | |
| Republican | Other | 46 | 0.72 | |
| Total votes | 6,353 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 17,495 | 70.46 | |
| Democratic | Rick Levine | 7,279 | 29.32 | |
| Other | 57 | 0.23 | ||
| Total votes | 24,831 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 5,821 | 99.30 | |
| Republican | Other | 41 | 0.70 | |
| Total votes | 5,862 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dennis Richardson (write-in) | 42 | 48.84 | |
| Democratic | Other | 44 | 51.16 | |
| Total votes | 86 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 21,284 | 86.95 | |
| Constitution | Richard D. Hake | 3,047 | 12.45 | |
| Other | 148 | 0.60 | ||
| Total votes | 24,479 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 163,695 | 65.86 | |
| Republican | Gordon Challstrom | 24,693 | 9.93 | |
| Republican | Bruce Cuff | 23,912 | 9.62 | |
| Republican | Mae Rafferty | 16,920 | 6.8 | |
| Republican | Tim Carr | 14,847 | 5.97 | |
| Republican | Darren Karr | 2,474 | 1.0 | |
| Write-ins | 2,011 | 0.8 | ||
| Total votes | 248,552 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Kitzhaber | 733,230 | 49.89 | |
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 648,542 | 44.13 | |
| Pacific Green | Jason Levin | 29,561 | 2.01 | |
| Libertarian | Paul Grad | 21,903 | 1.49 | |
| Constitution | Aaron Auer | 15,929 | 1.08 | |
| Progressive | Chris Henry | 13,898 | 0.95 | |
| Write-ins | 6,654 | 0.45 | ||
| Total votes | 1,469,717 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 260,622 | 77.89 | |
| Republican | Sid Leiken | 71,992 | 21.51 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 2,006 | 0.60 | |
| Total votes | 334,620 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Richardson | 903,623 | 47.06% | |
| Democratic | Brad Avakian | 834,529 | 43.47% | |
| Independent Party | Paul Wells | 66,210 | 3.45% | |
| Pacific Green | Alan Zundel | 48,946 | 2.55% | |
| Libertarian | Sharon Durbin | 47,675 | 2.48% | |
| Constitution | Michael Marsh | 15,372 | 0.80% | |
| Write-ins | 3,594 | 0.19% | ||
| Total votes | 1,919,949 | 100% | ||
References
edit- ^ "Dennis Richardson Dies Tuesday Night, Secretary Of State Was 69". Portland, OR Patch. February 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Cecil, Neita (October 29, 2013). "GOP state leader runs for governor". The Dalles Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Laura Gunderson | The (October 3, 2014). "Dennis Richardson: Conservative record that helped him soar in southern Oregon may sink him statewide". oregonlive. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Tribune, Damian Mann of the Mail (March 4, 2019). "Dennis Richardson funeral Central Point Oregon Secretary of State". Mail Tribune. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Staver, Anna. "Battle of values: Dennis Richardson wants to lead". Statesman Journal. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Gordon R. Friedman | The (February 27, 2019). "Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson dies of brain cancer". oregonlive. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Gaston, Christian (July 24, 2013). "Oregon Rep. Dennis Richardson announces run for governor". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ Esteve, Harry (May 20, 2014). "Dennis Richardson wins GOP governor primary, will face Democrat John Kitzhaber". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
- ^ "Letter outlined legal case against Hayes and Kitzhaber". February 26, 2015. Archived from the original on November 24, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
- ^ "Oregon Gov. Kitzhaber resigns amid ethics scandal". MSNBC. February 13, 2015. Archived from the original on July 12, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
- ^ Friedman, Gordon (October 29, 2015). "Dennis Richardson announces Secretary of State bid". The Statesman Journal. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ a b Hernandez, Lauren E. (December 30, 2016). "Dennis Richardson sworn in as secretary of state". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "Secretaries of State of Oregon". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "Oregon's 1st Republican Elected To Statewide Office In 14 Years Takes Office Friday". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on January 1, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ Tribune, Damian Mann Mail (March 2, 2019). "Dennis Richardson made every moment teachable". Mail Tribune. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "Secretary of State Dennis Richardson Will Further Reduce Work Schedule to Battle Cancer". WWeek. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ^ "Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson dies of cancer," Archived February 27, 2019, at the Wayback Machine The Oregonian, Feb. 27, 2019, www.oregonlive.com/
- ^ Ryan, Jim (February 27, 2019). "Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson dies of cancer". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
- ^ Davidson, Kate. "Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson uses Mormon faith as moral compass". Statesman Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Oregon's Secretary Of State On Faith, Race And Same-Sex Marriage". opb. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "OR State House 04 2002". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ "Official Results" (pdf). Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "May 20, 2014 Primary Election Abstract of Votes: Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ "November 4, 2014, General Election, Official Abstract of Votes: Governor". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ "Secretary of State County Totals". Oregon Secretary of State. State of Oregon. May 26, 2016. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Official Results 2016 General Election, November 8, 2016". sos.oregon.gov. Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2018.