Hubert Leon "Bill" Richardson (December 28, 1927 – January 13, 2020) was an American gun rights activist and former politician who founded Gun Owners of America (GOA) in 1976 and served as a California state senator from 1966 to 1989.
H. L. Richardson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California State Senate | |
| In office December 6, 1976 – November 30, 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Robert S. Stevens |
| Succeeded by | Bill Leonard |
| Constituency | 25th district |
| In office January 2, 1967 – November 30, 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Albert S. Rodda |
| Succeeded by | Lou Cusanovich |
| Constituency | 19th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hubert Leon Richardson December 28, 1927 Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | January 13, 2020 (aged 92) California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Barbara Budrow |
| Children | Doug Richardson, 2 others |
| Alma mater | Olympic College Cornish College of the Arts |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Early life and education edit
Richardson was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1927 and served in the United States Navy in World War II.[1][2] He attended Olympic College and the Cornish Conservatory, both in Seattle, Washington.[3]
Career edit
Richardson's political career began as a member of the John Birch Society.[4][5][6] He was elected to the California State Senate in 1966.
During his tenure in the State Senate, Richardson served as the Republican Caucus Chair for several of these years.[2] He was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for the United States Senate in 1974, having been defeated by incumbent Alan Cranston. He ran for Congress in 1962, and again in 1992, losing to Democrat Vic Fazio.[7]
Richardson was credited with electing seven members of the California senate between 1978 and 1980. He led a group of organizations, including Gun Owners of America, that spent up to $1 million to elect conservative candidates.[8]
Richardson was the author of Confrontational Politics, a book that has served as a guide for right-wing political figures, activists, and organizations.[9]
Personal life edit
He died on January 13, 2020, at the age of 92.[10]
Bibliography edit
- Slightly to the Right. Whittier, California: Constructive Action, 1965.
- What Makes You Think We Read the Bills? Ottawa, Illinois: Caroline House, 1978.
- The Devil's Eye. Dallas: Word, 1995.
- The Shadows of Crazy Mountain. Dallas: Word, 1996.
- Split Ticket. Dallas: Word, 1996.
- Confrontational Politics. Ventura, California: Nordskog, 2010.
References edit
- ^ LLC, Marquis Who's Who (September 10, 1977). Who's who in Government. Marquis Who's Who, Incorporated. ISBN 9780837912035. Retrieved September 10, 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "H. L. "Bill" Richardson"". JoinCalifornia. One Voter Project. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ "H. L. Richardson". The Complete Marquis Who's Who Biographies: Who's Who in the West, 20th, 21st, 22nd editions. May 16, 2006; retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ "California Elections: 3rd Congressional District: Fazio-Richardson Fight Presents a Clear Contrast in Ideology, Style". Los Angeles Times. October 29, 1992. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ "California Senate Rescinds Vote to Commend Lindsay". The New York Times. March 12, 1970. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ "Voting Shift Seen In Orange County". The New York Times. November 10, 1974. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ California Journal, May 1992, Vol XXIII, No 5, page 227.
- ^ Berthelsen, John (November 11, 1980). "Calif. Gun Owners Advocate Is Making Liberals Uneasy". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ "A One-Man Propaganda Band : No Compromise". NPR.org. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "Second Amendment advocate, former State Sen. H.L. 'Bill' Richardson dies at 92". January 17, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
External links edit
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