Ruth Richardson (American politician)

Ruth Richardson (born November 27, 1976) is an American politician who served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Richardson represented District 52B in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Eagan and Mendota Heights and parts of Dakota County, Minnesota.[1]

Ruth Richardson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 52B district
In office
January 8, 2019 – September 1, 2023
Preceded byRegina Barr
Personal details
Born (1976-11-27) November 27, 1976
Political partyDemocratic–Farmer–Labor
Children2
ResidenceMendota Heights, Minnesota
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
William Mitchell College of Law
OccupationC.E.O, Planned Parenthood North Central States

Early life, education, and career

Richardson graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in history and sociology and from William Mitchell College of Law with a Juris Doctor.[1]

Richardson was previously the director of programs and national strategic initiatives for the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome[2] and was the CEO of Wayside Recovery Center.[3] Richardson currently is the CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States.[4]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Richardson was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Regina Barr and has been reelected every two years since.

In 2020, Representative Richardson, alongside five other state representatives and three state senators, had her election results challenged. These claims were dismissed by a judge for failing to state a claim and a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.[1]

During the 2021-2022 legislative session, Richardson served as chair of the Education Policy Committee. Currently she serves on the Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee.[1]

Richardson authored legislation to make Juneteenth an official state holiday in Minnesota, which passed the House on a vote of 126-1 and was signed by Governor Walz in February 2023.[5][6][7]

On September 1, 2023, Richardson announced her resignation from the House to focus on her role at Planned Parenthood.[8]

Electoral history
2018 Minnesota State House - District 52B[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Ruth Richardson 11,004 53.74
Republican Regina Barr (Incumbent) 9,437 46.08
Write-in 37 0.18
Total votes 20,478 100.0
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican
2020 Minnesota State House - District 52B[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Ruth Richardson (incumbent) 13,653 55.45
Republican Cynthia Lonnquist 10,947 44.46
Write-in 21 0.09
Total votes 24,621 100.0
2022 Minnesota State House - District 52B[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Ruth Richardson (incumbent) 13,933 61.67
Republican Cynthia Lonnquist 8,636 38.23
Write-in 23 0.10
Total votes 22,592 100.0

Personal life

Richardson has two children and resides in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.[1]

References
  1. "Richardson, Ruth". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  2. Burlingame, Hannah (October 22, 2018). "Barr, Richardson prioritize health care in House District 52B race". Lillie Suburban Newspapers. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  3. "Leadership Team | Wayside Recovery Center | St. Louis Park". waysiderecovery.org. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  4. Planned Parenthood North Central States (September 7, 2022). "Planned Parenthood North Central States Announces Ruth Richardson as Next CEO". Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  5. "HF 48 Status in the House for the 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024)". www.revisor.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  6. "Juneteenth on way to becoming Minnesota's newest holiday - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  7. "Walz signs bill making Juneteenth a state holiday". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  8. "Minnesota State Rep. Ruth Richardson resigns to focus on Planned Parenthood role". www.mprnews.org. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  9. "2018 Minnesota House District 52B Election Results". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  10. "2020 Minnesota House District 52B Election Results". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  11. "2022 Minnesota House District 52B Election Results". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
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