Randy Richardville
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Randy Richardville (born August 15, 1959) is a Michigan Republican, who is the current state senator for the 17th District, which consists of all of Monroe, southern Washtenaw, and eastern Jackson counties. He took office on January 1, 2007. Previously, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 56th District from 1998–2004. This district covered the area of northeast Monroe County, including the city of Monroe.
[edit] Early life
Richardville was born in Monroe, Michigan. He graduated from Monroe Catholic Central High School— known today as St. Mary's Catholic Central— in 1977. He wed Sarah Elford, to whom he is still married, in 1979. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College in 1981, and he received his master's degree in management from Aquinas College in 1989.
Richardville has worked for several Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, including La-Z-Boy, Herman Miller, and North Star Steel. He has involved himself extensively in local and state politics throughout his career. These include working for the WTWR radio station, United Way of Monroe County, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, American Legislative Exchange Council, Habitat for Humanity, a board member of the Monroe YMCA, Monroe Rotary Club, former board member for the Karmanos Cancer Institution, and many more. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association and Ducks Unlimited. He is currenly a member of the Board of Trustees for Monroe Public Schools and the Economic Development Director in southeast Michigan. He has received numerous awards for his work.
[edit] Political career
He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1998 and served three two-year terms. As soon as he entered into office, he introduced a bill to decrease the state income tax rate, and this bill was signed into law in 1999. He soon became the Assistant Whip of the House. In his second term, he was elevated to Assistant Majority Floor Leader. In his final term, he became the Majority Floor Leader, which is the second highest ranking member of the House, consisting of 110 representatives from throughout the state. He could not seek reelection for state representative for a fourth term in 2004, as Michigan limits its state representatives to three terms.
Richardville ran for state senator for the 17th District of Michigan in the 2006 election. The previous district Senator, Beverly Hammerstrom, was ineligible for the 2006 ballot, as she has already served two full terms— the limit for senators. His main focus, as it has been throughout his political career, is increasing jobs and the economy, health care and benefits for senior citizens, and education; this was the main focus of his senatorial campaign. On August 8, Richardville won the district's primary election for the Republican Party nomination, defeating Milan mayor Owen Diaz. In the election, he defeated Democratic opponent Bob Shockman. Upon winning the election, he vowed to uphold his campaign promises, as well as work with the Democratic senators to address the state's growing economic crisis. His term as senator will last from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.
| Year | Election | Defeated | Election results |
| 1998 | House | Larry Rufledge (D) | 51.55–48.45% |
| 2000 | House | Herb Kehrl (D) | 50.42–47.52% |
| 2002 | House | Joshua Sacks (D) | 65.84–34.16% |
| 2006 | Senate | Bob Shockman (D) | 55.33–44.67% |
