John G. Richardson
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John G. Richardson | |
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Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development | |
In office January 2007 – November 2009 | |
Preceded by | Jack Cashman |
Succeeded by | Thaxter Trafton |
97th Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives | |
In office December 2004 – December 2006 | |
Preceded by | Patrick Colwell |
Succeeded by | Glenn Cummings |
Maine House Majority Leader | |
In office December 2002 – December 2004 | |
Preceded by | Patrick Colwell |
Succeeded by | Glenn Cummings |
Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 49th & 63rd district | |
In office December 1998 – December 2006 | |
Preceded by | Reginald G. Pinkham |
Succeeded by | Charles R. Priest |
Personal details | |
Born | Washington, D.C., US | June 29, 1957
Died | June 16, 2020 Brunswick, Maine, US | (aged 62)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Dr. Stephanie Grohs |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | Creighton University School of Law, University of Maryland |
Profession | Lawyer |
Website | John Richardson for Maine |
John G. Richardson (June 29, 1957 – June 16, 2020) was an American politician and consultant from Maine. A Democrat, he served as Maine's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.[1] Richardson unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Maine in 2010. In February 2018, the Portland Press Herald reported that Richardson was involved in a potential conflict of interest case regarding the University of Maine and a $100 million redevelopment plan for the nearby Old Town mill.[2] On February 9, 2018, the Portland Press Herald reported that there weren't any conflict of interest issues involving UMaine or Richardson.
Background
[edit]Richardson was born in Washington, D.C. He received his bachelor's degree from University of Maryland in 1983 and his Juris Doctor degree from Creighton University School of Law in 1987. He practiced law in Brunswick, Maine.[3]
Political career
[edit]In 2002, Richardson was elected House Majority Leader in the 121st Legislature, where he was the political spokesperson for the House Democratic caucus.
Richardson was elected the 97th Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2005. As Speaker, he successfully led efforts eliminate a $1 billion budget deficit and to balance the budget, brokered legislation to cut taxes, and reformed the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement law.[4]
Richardson also sponsored the legislation which created the Mid Coast Regional Redevelopment Authority(MRRA) and served on its planning and implementing committees.[5]
In January 2007, he was appointed Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, a position that he held until November 2009. He also served as a board member on the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).
Committee assignments
- Business and Economic Development (Chair)[6]
- Banking and Insurance [7]
- Rules and Business of the House (Ex Officio)[8][9]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/John_G._Richardson%2C_Commissioner_of_Maine%27s_Department_of_Economic_and_Community_Development.jpg/220px-John_G._Richardson%2C_Commissioner_of_Maine%27s_Department_of_Economic_and_Community_Development.jpg)
2010 gubernatorial bid and public appearances
[edit]On April 26, 2010, just six weeks prior to the Democratic primary, Richardson ended his run for governor. He was denied failed public financing after the state ethics commission discovered hundreds of falsified or otherwise improperly collected $5 qualifying contributions which were required of candidates to obtain public funding.[10][11]
Richardson was a political commentator on WCSH, Southern Maine' NBC affiliate. He also gave the political rebuttal to Governor Paul LePage's weekly radio address on WCME.[12]
Death
[edit]Richardson died on June 16, 2020, at the age of 62, from an apparent heart attack.[13][14]
Election history
[edit]Year | Office | Election | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | State Representative District 49 | General[15] | John Richardson | Democratic | 1,351 | 51.1 | Reginald G. Pinkham | Republican | 1,294 | 48.9 | |||
2000 | State Representative District 49 | General[16] | John Richardson | Democratic | 2,399 | 65.6 | William J. Donovan | Republican | 1,259 | 34.4 | |||
2002 | State Representative District 49 | General[17] | John Richardson | Democratic | 1,884 | 63.3 | Ronald G. Dumont | Republican | 1,094 | 36.7 | |||
2004 | State Representative District 63 | General[18] | John Richardson | Democratic | 2,920 | 61.5 | Amy L. Mckenna | Republican | 1,827 | 38.5 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Maine House of Representatives: Past Leadership." Maine.gov. Web. 04 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/leaders.htm
- ^ Turkel, Tux (February 4, 2018). "Secret recordings point to improper influence by top UMaine official in lucrative power contract". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ Votesmart.org.-John G. Richardson
- ^ "http://maineinsights.com/john-g-richardson
- ^ "Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA)". Archived from the original on 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
- ^ "Maine House of Representatives: John Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/120th/120bios/richjg.htm>.
- ^ "Maine House of Representatives: John G. Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/119th/119bios/richjg.htm>.
- ^ "Maine House of Representatives: John Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/121st/121bios/richjg.htm>.
- ^ "Maine House of Representatives: John Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/122nd/122bios/richjg.htm>.
- ^ Miller, Kevin (April 26, 2010). "Richardson ends bid for Blaine House". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ Wickenheiser, Matt (27 April 2010). "Richardson quits Maine governor's raceover finance finding". Press Herald.
- ^ "WCME |". Radio9wcme.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
- ^ "Former Maine House speaker John Richardson dies at age 62". 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Former Speaker of the Maine House and NEWS CENTER Maine Contributor John Richardson dies at 62". 16 June 2020.
- ^ "General Election Tabulations - November 3, 1998 - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)." Maine.gov. Web. 04 Feb. 2010. <"General Election Tabulations - November 3, 1998 - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)". Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2010-02-05.>.
- ^ "Maine General Election, November 7, 2000 - Tabulations - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)." Maine.gov. Web. 04 Feb. 2010. <"Maine General Election, November 7, 2000 - Tabulations - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)". Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2010-02-05.>.
- ^ "General Election, November 5, 2002 - Tabulations - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <"General Election, November 5, 2002 - Tabulations - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)". Archived from the original on 2002-12-31. Retrieved 2010-02-05.>.
- ^ "General Election, November 2, 2004 - Tabulations - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2004n/sr.htm Archived 2010-03-20 at the Wayback Machine>.
- 1957 births
- 2020 deaths
- Speakers of the Maine House of Representatives
- Democratic Party members of the Maine House of Representatives
- Majority leaders of the Maine House of Representatives
- Politicians from Brunswick, Maine
- Politicians from Washington, D.C.
- University of Maryland, College Park alumni
- Creighton University School of Law alumni
- State cabinet secretaries of Maine
- American political commentators
- Maine lawyers