Ron Richard | |
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71st Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives | |
In office 2009 – January 5, 2011 |
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Preceded by | Rod Jetton |
Succeeded by | Steven Tilley |
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 129th district |
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In office 2003 – January 5, 2011 |
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Preceded by | Chuck Surface |
Succeeded by | Bill White |
Personal details | |
Born | July 4, 1947 Parsons, Kansas |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Patty Richard |
Children | Kara Richard Chad Richard |
Residence | Joplin, Missouri |
Alma mater | Southwest Missouri State University (M.A.) Missouri Southern State University (B.A.) |
Profession | Politician |
Religion | Christian |
Website | www.RonRichard.com |
Ronald F. (Ron) Richard (born July 4, 1947) is a Missouri politician who was elected as a state senator in 2010 and was previously the Speaker (he is the first speaker to be elected Missouri senator in more than 100 years). He is a Republican.
He has served in the Missouri House of Representatives representing the 129th district, encompassing Joplin as well as parts of Jasper and Newton counties.
In 2010 he ran unopposed in both the primary and general election to assume the 32nd district state senate position formerly held by Gary Nodler.[1][2]
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Richard was born in Parsons, Kansas. After moving to Joplin during his childhood, Richard graduated from McAuley Catholic High School in 1965. Richard attended college at Missouri Southern State University, receiving a bachelor of arts in 1969. Richard then attended graduate school at Southwest Missouri State University, receiving his master of arts in 1971.
Richard currently lives in Joplin with his wife, Patty. They have two children together: Kara and Chad.[3]
Richard is a partner in A&R Development and C&R Development Corporation. Additionally, Richard has full duties with C&N Bowl Corporation.
Richard is a member of the Joplin Elks Lodge, the Joplin Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Joplin Industrial and Development Authority, the Joplin Kiwanis club, Missouri Farm Bureau, Scottish Rite Bodies, the Valley of Joplin, the Joplin Knights of Columbus, and the Missouri Higher Education Savings Program Board (MOST). He is a former member of the Professional Bowlers Association and is the chairman of the Joplin 353 Downtown Development Corporation.
Richard was the recipient of the Missouri Southern State University Outstanding Alumni award in 2003, the RCGA Statesman Award in 2004, the St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award, the Community College Award, and has served as the 7th District Delegate to the Republican National Convention on multiple occasions.
Richard's first role in politics came in 1990, when he was elected to the Joplin City Council. He served on the city council until 1994, when he was elected mayor. Richard served as Joplin mayor until 1997.
In 2002, Richard ran to replace the outgoing Chuck Surface, in the first session where term limits were enacted in 1992 and starting in 1994 fully affected all prior members. Richard won a primary battle with fellow Republican Edward Duff, garnering over 75% of the vote. He then won the general election in a three-way race with Democrat Fred Coombes and Libertarian Jack Stults, earning nearly 69% of the vote. He has run unopposed in every election since.
In 2005, Richard was appointed chairman of the influential Committee on Job Creation and Economic Development. Richard helped lead several key pieces of legislation through the Missouri House, including a bill that would have helped Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier construct a mega-plant in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Despite successful passage through the General Assembly and approval by governor Matt Blunt, Bombardier decided not to relocate.
In September 2007, the House Republican caucus chose to meet and choose a successor to then-Speaker Rod Jetton for the 95th General Assembly. This election was held "to fend off any fight during what could be a difficult election cycle," and to allow the prospective incoming speaker to attend leadership meetings in preparation for their new role. In a caucus meeting, Richard beat out fellow Republican and Budget Committee chair Allen Icet to be preliminarily named Speaker of the 95th General Assembly.[4] Upon convening the 95th General Assembly, Richard was named Speaker by acclamation.
2002 General Election for Missouri’s 129th District House of Representatives[5] | |||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
Republican | Ron Richard | 6,137 | 68.6 | ||
Democratic | Fred E. Coombes | 2,385 | 26.7 | ||
Libertarian | Jack L. Stults | 422 | 4.7 |
2002 Primary Election for Missouri’s 129th District House of Representatives[6] | |||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
Republican | Ron Richard | 2,715 | 75.4 | ||
Republican | Edward Duff | 886 | 24.6 |
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Rod Jetton |
Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by Steven Tilley |
Missouri House of Representatives | ||
Preceded by Chuck Surface |
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 129th District 2003–2010 |
Succeeded by Bill White (Missouri politician) |
Missouri Senate | ||
Preceded by Gary Nodler |
Member of the Missouri State Senate from the 32nd District 2010–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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