Ron Richard
Encyclopedia
Ronald F. 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
.
. 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.
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.
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. Upon convening the 95th General Assembly, Richard was named Speaker by acclamation.
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...
.
He has served in the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
representing the 129th district, encompassing Joplin
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
as well as parts of Jasper
Jasper County, Missouri
Jasper County is a county located in the US state of Missouri. It is included in the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2010 total population of Jasper County was 117,404. It is the ninth most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is Carthage, making it one of the few...
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
Gary Nodler
Gary Nodler is a Missouri politician who served as a Republican in the Missouri State Senate, where he chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee...
.
Background and Education
Richard was born in Parsons, KansasParsons, Kansas
Parsons is a city in the northern part of Labette County, located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,500...
. After moving to Joplin during his childhood, Richard graduated from McAuley Catholic High School
McAuley Catholic High School (Joplin, Missouri)
McAuley Catholic High School is a private, parochial school in Joplin, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. It is a regional high school serving Joplin and the surrounding communities. McAuley is a 4 year high school with an enrollment of...
in 1965. Richard attended college at Missouri Southern State University
Missouri Southern State University
Missouri Southern State University is a public, state university located in Joplin, Missouri. Missouri Southern State University was formerly Missouri Southern State College and is also known as Missouri Southern, MSSU, or MoSo for short. Established in 1937 as Joplin Junior College, Missouri...
, receiving a bachelor of arts in 1969. Richard then attended graduate school at Southwest Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
, receiving his master of arts in 1971.
Richard currently lives in Joplin with his wife, Patty. They have two children together: Kara and Chad.
Career
Richard is a partner in A&R Development and C&R Development Corporation. Additionally, Richard has full duties with C&N Bowl Corporation.Group Memberships and Awards
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.
Elected Office
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
Matt Blunt
Matthew Roy Blunt served as the 54th Governor of Missouri from 2005 to 2009. Before his election as governor, Blunt served ten years in the United States Navy, was elected to serve in the Missouri General Assembly in 1998 and as Missouri's Secretary of State in 2000.A Republican, Blunt was elected...
, Bombardier decided not to relocate.
In September 2007, the House Republican caucus chose to meet and choose a successor to then-Speaker Rod Jetton
Rod Jetton
Rod Jetton is a U.S. politician. He was a Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives who has represented Missouri's 156th District from 2001 to 2009 and was Speaker of the Missouri House from 2005 to 2009.-Early life:Jetton was born in De Soto, Missouri, to Bill and Judy 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
Allen Icet
Allen Icet is a Republican that represents Missouri's 84th district, a portion of Saint Louis County, in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2002. Icet has served as Missouri House budget chair since 2005.-Education:Icet received a Bachelor’s of Science...
to be preliminarily named Speaker of the 95th General Assembly. Upon convening the 95th General Assembly, Richard was named Speaker by acclamation.