Ron Richard

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.[4]

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.[5] Upon convening the 95th General Assembly, Richard was named speaker by acclamation.

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.[3]

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Ron Richard

• Official Missouri State Senate profile
• Personal website