Richard H. Austin
Encyclopedia
Richard H. Austin was the first African American
to hold a state-wide elected position in Michigan
. Austin served as the Michigan Secretary of State
.
Austin was born in Stouts Mountain, Cullman County, Alabama
on May 6, 1913. He was an accountant
by profession. He served as a delegate for the Wayne County
6th District to the constitutional convention
that produced the 1962 Michigan Constitution
. In 1964, he ran for Congress in Michigan's 1st congressional district
, but lost to John Conyers
. He then made an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Detroit in 1969.
In 1970, Austin was elected as the Michigan Secretary of State. During his tenure, he supported the enactment of laws mandating use of seatbelts and child safety seats. He served as Secretary of State from 1971-1995. In 1976 Austin unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Philip Hart
. Don Riegle won the nomination and went on to serve three terms.
In 1994, Austin lost his bid for re-election to the office of Secretary of State to Candice Miller
, a Republican
.
Austin died from Alzheimer's Disease
on April 20, 2001 at the age of 87.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to hold a state-wide elected position in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Austin served as the Michigan Secretary of State
Michigan Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
.
Austin was born in Stouts Mountain, Cullman County, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
on May 6, 1913. He was an accountant
Accountant
An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy or accounting , which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.The Big Four auditors are the largest...
by profession. He served as a delegate for the Wayne County
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
6th District to the constitutional convention
Constitutional convention (political meeting)
A constitutional convention is now a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. A general constitutional convention is called to create the first constitution of a political unit or to entirely replace an existing constitution...
that produced the 1962 Michigan Constitution
Michigan Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government....
. In 1964, he ran for Congress in Michigan's 1st congressional district
Michigan's 1st congressional district
Michigan's 1st congressional district is a United States Congressional district containing the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as part of the Lower Peninsula. Currently the district is represented by Republican Dan Benishek.-Geography:...
, but lost to John Conyers
John Conyers
John Conyers, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1965 . He is a member of the Democratic Party...
. He then made an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Detroit in 1969.
In 1970, Austin was elected as the Michigan Secretary of State. During his tenure, he supported the enactment of laws mandating use of seatbelts and child safety seats. He served as Secretary of State from 1971-1995. In 1976 Austin unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Philip Hart
Philip Hart
Philip Aloysius Hart was a Democratic United States Senator from Michigan from 1959 until 1976. He was nicknamed the Conscience of the Senate.-Early years:...
. Don Riegle won the nomination and went on to serve three terms.
In 1994, Austin lost his bid for re-election to the office of Secretary of State to Candice Miller
Candice Miller
Candice S. Miller is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. She is a member of the Republican Party.The district includes Michigan's Huron, Macomb, and Sanilac counties, plus portions of Lapeer and Oakland counties....
, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
Austin died from Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
on April 20, 2001 at the age of 87.