Pro-Life (politician)
Pro-Life | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Marvin Thomas Richardson August 5, 1941 (age 83) Carbon County, Wyoming |
Political party | Independent (2006–present) Constitution Party (until 2006) |
Spouse(s) | Jean Benson (1964–1982) Kirsten Faith Richardson (1982–present) |
Children | 15[1][2] |
Residence(s) | Letha, Idaho |
Alma mater | Brigham Young University |
Occupation | Organic farmer |
Pro-Life (born Marvin Thomas Richardson; August 5, 1941) is a perennial candidate for public office in Idaho and strawberry farmer known for his strong opposition to abortion, which inspired him to change his name.[3] He lives in the unincorporated community of Letha, Idaho.[4] He has made several unsuccessful runs for political office in Idaho and has been labeled a perennial candidate.[5] Having stated his intention to continue running for office until his death,[3][6] Pro-Life was most recently a candidate in the 2018 general election in Idaho.
Early life and career
Born Marvin Thomas Richardson, Pro-Life was born in Carbon County, Wyoming. He played basketball in high school and attended Brigham Young University on an athletic scholarship but was eventually cut from the varsity basketball team. He graduated from BYU in 1967 with a degree in political science after serving as an LDS missionary in Arizona, California, and Nevada.[2]
Pro-Life has worked as an organic farmer since 2002, mainly farming strawberries. He has previously worked as an accountant, a coal miner, and a salesman of irrigation equipment and Caterpillar parts.[2]
Political career
As Marvin Richardson, Pro-Life first ran for public office in 2004, when he challenged Republican Kathy Skippen for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives. Skippen won 78% to 22%.[7]
Having legally changed his middle name to "Pro-Life" in 2004,[2] Richardson filed for the 2006 Idaho governor's race as Marvin Pro-Life Richardson.[3] The Idaho Secretary of State's office would not allow Richardson to appear on the ballot with his new middle name, although he could be listed as Marvin P. Richardson. Secretary of State Ben Ysursa said, "We've made it clear to him since March we were not going to put 'pro-life' on the ballot, and that's still our position. The ballot is not supposed to be a forum for political expression—it's supposed to be as neutral as it can be."[8] Richardson was invited to participate in the 2006 gubernatorial debate, but did not respond to his invitation in time.[9] Initially, Richardson was the Constitution Party's candidate in the 2006 gubernatorial election,[10] but the Constitution Party of Idaho disavowed him. That year, he had his name changed to simply "Pro-Life," but still appeared as Marvin Richardson on the ballot.[8] In the election, he received 1.62 percent of the vote, behind Democrat Jerry Brady and the winner, Republican Butch Otter.[11]
In 2008, Pro-Life ran as an independent for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Larry Craig. That year, he was allowed to appear on the ballot as "Pro-Life". The executive director of an Idaho pro-life group expressed concern that voters would mistake Pro-Life's name on the ballot for a position rather than a candidate.[12] Such fears led to a qualifier next to Pro-Life's name on the ballot: "(A person, formerly known as Marvin Richardson)".[13] He has appeared thus on all subsequent Idaho ballots. He received 1.34 percent of the votes in the race, behind Libertarian Kent Marmon, independent Rex Rammell, Democrat Larry LaRocco, and the winner, Republican Jim Risch.[14]
In 2010, Pro-Life ran for governor for a second time.[15] He came in fifth in the race, behind Libertarian Ted Dunlap, independent Jana Kemp, Democrat Keith Allred, and the winner, Republican Butch Otter.[16]
Pro-Life was a candidate for Idaho's 1st congressional district in the United States Congress in 2012.[17] He ran against incumbent Republican Raúl Labrador and Democrat Jimmy Farris. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Pro-Life's 2012 campaign was entirely self-financed.[18] The incumbent won the race.[19]
Pro-Life ran a third campaign for Governor of Idaho in the 2014 gubernatorial election.[6][20]
Pro-Life ran for the Senate again in 2016.[21][22] He was defeated in the Constitution Party primary on May 17, 2016 by Ray J. Writz.[23]
Political views
Pro-Life has said he believes that abortion is murder, and he supports charging doctors who perform abortions with murder.[12]
He opposed the Troubled Asset Relief Program as a candidate in 2008, citing concerns that its implementation would result in "a total fascist dictatorship run by the bankers."[24] He opposes war undertaken without a declaration of war by Congress;[17] he supports a non-interventionist foreign policy and considers the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya to be unjust and unconstitutional.[25] He also opposes public education, which he considers to be communist.[3] After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, he suggested allowing Idaho sheriffs to organize groups of armed volunteers to protect schools.[6]
Personal life
Pro-Life is a vegetarian.[3] As Marvin Richardson, he married Jean Benson in 1964, but they divorced in 1982.[2]
He has been married to Kirsten Faith Richardson since 1982. In 2006, she ran for the Idaho House of Representatives as the Constitution Party nominee against Republican Steven Thayn, receiving 3,026 votes (24.56%).[26] Pro-Life encouraged her to run for this position, despite their conviction that women should not work outside the home.[27]
Pro-Life has 15 children, 7 from his previous wife, 8 from his current wife.[28]
Formerly a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pro-Life left the church in 1998, based on his claims that the church does not ascribe personhood to the unborn.[2]
Electoral history
Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Kathy Skippen | 11,216 | 77.9% | Marvin Richardson | Constitution | 3,189 | 22.1% |
Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Jerry Brady | 198,845 | 44.11% | Butch Otter | 237,437 | 52.67% | Marvin Richardson | Constitution | 7,309 | 1.62% | Steve Gothard | Libertarian | 7,241 | 1.61% | ||||||||||||||
2010 | Keith G. Allred | 148,680 | 32.9% | Butch Otter | 267,483 | 59.1% | Jana Kemp | Independent | 26,655 | 5.9% | Ted Dunlap | Libertarian | 5,867 | 1.3% | Pro-Life | Independent | 3,850 | 0.85% | ||||||||||
2014 | A.J. Balukoff | 169,556 | 38.55% | Butch Otter | 235,405 | 53.52% | John Bujak | Libertarian | 17,884 | 4.07% | Jill Humble | Libertarian | 8,801 | 2% | Steve Pankey | Constitution | 5,219 | 1.19% | Pro-Life | Independent | 2,870 | 0.65% |
Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Larry LaRocco | 219,903 | 34.11% | Jim Risch | 371,744 | 57.65% | Rex Rammell | Independent | 34,510 | 5.35% | Kent Marmon | Libertarian | 9,958 | 1.54% | Pro-Life | Independent | 8,662 | 1.34% |
Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Jimmy Farris | 97,436 | 30.8% | Raúl Labrador | 199,489 | 63% | Rob Oates | Libertarian | 12,264 | 3.9% | Pro-Life | Independent | 7,605 | 2.4% |
See also
- Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus—an Irish politician who changed his name to reflect his political views
References
- ^ Pro-Life (21 October 2010). ""Governor: Pro-Life Q&A"" (Interview). Interviewed by The Idaho Press-Tribune. Nampa, Idaho. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g "About". Pro-Life. Archived from the original on 2012-06-22. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Ames, Michael (31 October 2010). "The Candidate Named 'Pro-Life'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ Richert, Kevin (16 March 2010). "Idaho elections: Brad Little files for lieutenant governor". Idaho Statesman. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ "In Idaho, a Candidate for Governor Takes the Legal Name 'Pro-Life'". Namecandy.com. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ a b c Popkey, Dan (17 December 2012). "Deputize armed volunteers to protect schools, says perennial Idaho candidate Pro-Life". Idaho Statesman. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ a b Ysursa, Ben (2 November 2004). "November 2, 2004 General Election Results". Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ a b Russell, Betsy Z. (19 September 2006). "Turmoil rends state Constitution Party". Idaho Public Television. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ "The Idaho Debates 2006: Governor". Idaho Public Television. Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2008.
- ^ Butts, Mike (6 April 2006). "No 'Pro-Life' allowed on ballot". The Idaho Press-Tribune. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ a b Ysursa, Ben (7 November 2006). "November 7, 2006 General Election Results". Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ a b Butts, Mike (20 March 2008). "'Pro-Life' gets name on ballot this year". The Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ "Sample General Election Ballot" (PDF). Blaine County Clerk/Auditor/Recorder. 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ a b "November 4, 2008 General Election Results". Secretary of State of Idaho. 4 November 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ Pro-Life (29 October 2010). "Governor: Pro-Life essay". The Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ a b "November 2, 2010 General Election Results". Secretary of State of Idaho. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Candidate profile: U.S. Rep. District 1, Pro-Life (formerly Marvin Richardson) (I)". Coeur d'Alene Press. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ "Congressional Elections: Idaho District 01 Race: 2012 Cycle". Center for Responsive Politics. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ "Simpson, Labrador wins underscore Idaho GOP power". Idaho Press-Tribune. November 7, 2012.
- ^ Popkey, Dan (1 February 2014). "Fulcher, Balukoff put money where their mouths are". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ "Pro-Life For Governor of Idaho - 2014, also US Senate - 2016". Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ Brown, Nathan (August 12, 2015). "Federal Lands, Refugees, and Regulations Drive Crapo Town Hall in Castleford". Twin Falls Times-News. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Official Primary Election Statewide Totals". Idaho Secretary of State. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ Butts, Mike (25 September 2008). "Idaho officials, candidates weigh in on federal bailout". The Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
- ^ "Candidate profile: U.S. Rep. District 1, Pro-Life (formerly Marvin Richardson) (I)". 27 September 2012.
- ^ Ysursa, Ben (7 November 2006). "November 7, 2006 General Election Results". Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ Kirsten, Wife of Prolife, Pro-Life, archived from the original on 2012-04-15, retrieved 4 October 2012
- ^ "About Pro-Life". prolifeidaho.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- ^ Ysursa, Ben (7 November 2012). "Unofficial 2012 General Election Statewide Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
Further reading
- Hoffman, Nathaniel (9 July 2008). "Being Mr Pro-Life". Boise Weekly. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- Newell, Jim (25 March 2008). "Idaho Legislature Censoring Senate Candidate 'Pro-Life'". Wonkette. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
External links
- 1941 births
- Living people
- 20th-century Christians
- 20th-century Mormon missionaries
- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century Christians
- American accountants
- American anti-abortion activists
- American men's basketball players
- American Mormon missionaries in the United States
- Brigham Young University alumni
- BYU Cougars men's basketball players
- Farmers from Idaho
- Former Latter Day Saints
- Idaho Constitutionalists
- Idaho Independents
- Non-interventionism
- People from Carbon County, Wyoming
- People from Gem County, Idaho
- Republican Party (United States) politicians