Governor Bill Richardson
Biography
Bill Richardson was elected governor of New Mexico in 2002, 20 years after he was first elected to Congress. He was born in California in 1947 and grew up in Mexico City. After being drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in 1967, Richardson graduated from Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and got a master's degree there. In 1978, he moved to New Mexico to become executive director of the state Democratic party and then proceeded to run against and narrowly defeat 1st District Congressman Manuel Lujan. Richardson served in the U.S. House until 1997 when he was nominated as ambassador to the United Nations. Then in June 1998 Energy Secretary Federico Pena resigned and Bill Clinton shifted Richardson to the post. Richardson handily won the 2002 Governor's race by 16 points, defeating state Representative John Sanchez. (2006 Almanac of American Politics)
Statements about global Warming
03/13/2007
"In the West, it's not just liberal college kids who ask what we are doing about global warming - it's the conservative farmers and ranchers whose way of living is at risk." - Energy-independence plan speech, AP
Read the full quote01/24/2007
"States like New Mexico and California, not the federal government, are leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the innovation in the states must take place on a national scale." "New Mexico: Congressional Leaders Critical of Proposals." The Santa Fe New Mexican (New Mexico).
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Videos
Richardson lays out comprehensive plan for global warming in Manchester, NH
10/12/2007
Richardson, in Manchester, NH, says US must lead internationally on climate, for security and trade
10/12/2007
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