Richard H. Robinson (California politician)

Richard H. Robinson (born May 17, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War era. He is also a California politician and a member of the Democratic Party.

Richard H. Robinson
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 72nd district
In office
December 2, 1974 - November 30, 1986
Preceded byJohn Quimby
Succeeded byDick Longshore
Personal details
Born (1943-05-17) May 17, 1943
Birmingham, Alabama, US
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBecky
Children3
Military service
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Battles/warsVietnam War

Robinson was director of Operation Drug Prevention of Orange County when he ran for California State Assembly in 1974. He defeated 6-term incumbent John Quimby in the Democratic primary and then went on to easily beat his Republican opponent, University of Southern California football and National Football League (NFL) veteran Marlin McKeever.[1]

He easily won reelection in 1976, 1978 and 1980 and would go on to serve as Majority Caucus Chair from 1982-84.[2]

Running in a redrawn district in 1982, Robinson won reelection with 56.2% of the vote over Republican Dick Longshore who managed 43.8%. Longshore ran against Robinson again in 1984 and this time, with Ronald Reagan at the top of the ticket, scored 49.8% of the vote.[3]

This prompted Robinson to abandon reelection in 1986 and instead run for congress against Rep. Bob Dornan (R-Santa Ana), who had ousted Democratic incumbent Jerry M. Patterson two years earlier. Dornan beat Robinson by almost 13 points after a bruising, million dollar campaign.[4]

In the race for Robinson's now open assembly seat Longshore defeated the Democratic candidate, then Santa Ana mayor Daniel E. Griset by just over 10 points.[5]

Electoral history
Member, California State Assembly: 1986-1988
Year Office Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1974 California State Assembly
District 72		 Richard Robinson 36,830 56.7% Marlin McKeever 23,084 35.5%
1976 California State Assembly
District 72		 Richard Robinson 47,549 57.8% Peter J. Vogel 29,380 35.7%
1978 California State Assembly
District 72		 Richard Robinson 38,841 62.2% David L. Brandt 23,620 37.8%
1980 California State Assembly
District 72		 Richard Robinson 50,348 65.5% Raoul Silva 25,486 34.5%
1982 California State Assembly
District 72		 Richard Robinson 35,415 56.2% Dick Longshore 27,621 43.8%
1984 California State Assembly
District 72		 Richard Robinson 37,112 50.2% Dick Longshore 36,856 49.8%
1986 U.S. House of Representatives District 38
 Richard Robinson 50,625 42.4% Bob Dornan 66,032 55.3%

References
  1. Vassar, Alexander C. (2011). Legislators of California (PDF). Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  2. Vassar, Alexander C. (2011). Legislators of California (PDF). Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  3. California Journal Vol. XIX, No.7 (July 1988) "Complete Primary Election Results". StateNet Publications, July 1988.
  4. California Journal Vol. XIX, No.12 (December 1990) "Complete Election Returns". StateNet Publications, December 1990.
  5. "JoinCalifornia - 11-04-1986 Election".
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