John G. Richardson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 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, US
Died	June 16, 2020(2020-06-16) (aged 62) Brunswick, Maine, US
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Dr. Stephanie Grohs
Children	3
Alma mater	Creighton University School of Law, University of Maryland
Profession	Lawyer
Website	John Richardson for Maine

John G. Richardson (June 29, 1957 – June 16, 2020) was an American politician and consultant from Maine. A Democrat, he served as Maine's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. 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. On February 9, 2018 the Portland Press Herald reported that there weren't any conflict of interest issues involving UMaine or Richardson.

Background

Richardson was born in Washington, D.C. He received his bachelor's degree from University of Maryland in 1983 and his Juris Doctor degree from Creighton University School of Law in 1987. He practiced law in Brunswick, Maine.

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.

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

In January 2007, he was appointed Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, a position that he held until November 2009. He also served as a board member on the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).

Committee assignments

• Business and Economic Development (Chair)
• Banking and Insurance
• Rules and Business of the House (Ex Officio)

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. He was denied failed public financing after the state ethics commission discovered hundreds of falsified or otherwise improperly collected $5 qualifying contributions which were required of candidates to obtain public funding.

Richardson was a political commentator on WCSH, Southern Maine' NBC affiliate. He also gave the political rebuttal to Governor Paul LePage's weekly radio address on WCME.

Death

Richardson died on June 16, 2020 at the age of 62, from an apparent heart attack.

Election history