John G. Richardson

John G. Richardson
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 (1957-06-29) June 29, 1957
Washington, DC
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Dr. Stephanie Grohs
Residence Brunswick, Maine
Alma mater Creighton University School of Law, University of Maryland
Website John Richardson for Maine

John G. Richardson (born June 29, 1957) is an American politician and consultant from Maine. A Democrat, he formerly 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.

Political career

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 to help small businesses and create jobs. He earned a reputation as a consensus builder - helping to end a long stretch of partisan budget battles with bipartisan agreement on a supplemental spending plan. But he also built and broadened his party's influence, leaving the House with a solid Democratic majority after it came within a couple votes of falling to the opposition.[3]

John also sponsored the legislation which created the Mid Coast Regional Redevelopment Authority(MRRA) and served on its planning and implementing committees.[4]

In January 2007, he was appointed Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, a position that he held until November 2009. As Commissioner he helped businesses grow,[5] revitalized Maine's downtowns expanding the creative economy,[6] brought collations together and identified areas of growth for Maine. He also served as a board member on the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).

Committee assignments

  • Business and Economic Development (Chair)[7]
  • Banking and Insurance [8]
  • Rules and Business of the House (Ex Officio)[9][10]
Richardson at the University of Maine.

2010 gubernatorial bid and public appearances

On April 26, 2010, just six weeks prior to the Democratic primary, Richardson ended his run for Governor.[11]

Richardson is a political commentator on the Maine NBC affiliate - WCSH [12] and gives the political rebuttal to Governor Paul LePage's weekly radio address on WCME.[13]

Election history

Year Office Election Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1998 State Representative District 49 General[14] John Richardson Democratic 1,351 51.1 Reginald G. Pinkham Republican 1,294 48.9
2000 State Representative District 49 General[15] John Richardson Democratic 2,399 65.6 William J. Donovan Republican 1,259 34.4
2002 State Representative District 49 General[16] John Richardson Democratic 1,884 63.3 Ronald G. Dumont Republican 1,094 36.7
2004 State Representative District 63 General[17] John Richardson Democratic 2,920 61.5 Amy L. Mckenna Republican 1,827 38.5

References

  1. ↑ "Maine House of Representatives: Past Leadership." Maine.gov. Web. 04 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/leaders.htm
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "http://maineinsights.com/john-g-richardson
  4. ↑ http://mrra.us/
  5. ↑ http://maineinsights.com/southern-maine-companies-expand-100-jobs
  6. ↑ http://maineinsights.com/new-bond-investments-are-helping-to-grow
  7. ↑ "Maine House of Representatives: John Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/120th/120bios/richjg.htm>.
  8. ↑ "Maine House of Representatives: John G. Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/119th/119bios/richjg.htm>.
  9. ↑ "Maine House of Representatives: John Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/121st/121bios/richjg.htm>.
  10. ↑ "Maine House of Representatives: John Richardson." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/history/122nd/122bios/richjg.htm>.
  11. ↑ Miller, Kevin (April 26, 2010). "Richardson ends bid for Blaine House — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  12. ↑ http://www.wcsh6.com/
  13. ↑ http://www.radio9wcme.com/?s=JOhn+G+Richardson
  14. ↑ "General Election Tabulations - November 3, 1998 - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)." Maine.gov. Web. 04 Feb. 2010. <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2010-02-05. >.
  15. ↑ "Maine General Election, November 7, 2000 - Tabulations - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)." Maine.gov. Web. 04 Feb. 2010. <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2010-02-05. >.
  16. ↑ "General Election, November 5, 2002 - Tabulations - State Representative (Secretary of State, State of Maine, U.S.A.)." Maine.gov. Web. 05 Feb. 2010. <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2002-12-31. Retrieved 2010-02-05. >.
  17. ↑ "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>.
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