Clif Richardson
Encyclopedia
Clifton Russell Richardson (born 1943), known as Clif Richardson, is an American politician and businessman from Greenwell Springs, Louisiana
. He is a Republican
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from District 65 (East Baton Rouge Parish). Prior to his legislative service, Richardson was a justice of the peace
from 1991-2007.
Richardson was elected in the nonpartisan blanket primary on October 20, 2007, in a two-candidate Republican race for the seat vacated by the term-limited Donald Ray Kennard
, a Democrat
-turned Republican from Baton Rouge
. He defeated Ed Clarke of Central City
in East Baton Rouge Parish, who runs a financial services company. The election results were not close, as Richardson prevailed, 8,610 votes (67 percent) to Clarke's 4,193 (33 percent).
Richardson serves on three House committees: (1) Civil Law and Procedure, (2) Education, (3) Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.
At the close of the 2010 legislative session, Richardson questioned the economic, environmental. and personal impact of the proposed Greater Baton Rouge Loop on the communities of East Baton Rouge Parish. He supported Governor Bobby Jindal
's veto
of $5 million for planning and initial construction of the loop. Jindal said that he was vetoing the loop because the state "has scarce capital outlay and general fund dollars available . . . It is therefore important that major projects such as this have the widest support possible and the consensus of the legislative delegation in the area. That consensus has not thus far been achieved. Without the consensus of the public and the legislative delegation, the success of the project is in question. It would therefore be premature to fund the planning of such a large and controversial project until a consensus can be achieved."
A native of Independence
, a town in Tangipahoa Parish near Hammond
, Louisiana, Richardson graduated in 1961 from Independence High School there. He and his wife, the former Sylvia Carpenter (born January 16, 1945), reside in Greenwell Springs, where he owns Rebel Electric company. They have a son, Mark Russell Richardson (born ca. 1969). He is a veteran of the United States Navy
. Richardson is a Baptist
.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He is a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from District 65 (East Baton Rouge Parish). Prior to his legislative service, Richardson was a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
from 1991-2007.
Richardson was elected in the nonpartisan blanket primary on October 20, 2007, in a two-candidate Republican race for the seat vacated by the term-limited Donald Ray Kennard
Donald Ray Kennard
Donald Ray Kennard was an educator, athletic director, and politician who represented part of East Baton Rouge Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976 to 2008...
, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
-turned Republican from Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. He defeated Ed Clarke of Central City
Central City, Louisiana
City of Central is a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States. The newest city in Louisiana, it is the 12th largest city in the state. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area....
in East Baton Rouge Parish, who runs a financial services company. The election results were not close, as Richardson prevailed, 8,610 votes (67 percent) to Clarke's 4,193 (33 percent).
Richardson serves on three House committees: (1) Civil Law and Procedure, (2) Education, (3) Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs.
At the close of the 2010 legislative session, Richardson questioned the economic, environmental. and personal impact of the proposed Greater Baton Rouge Loop on the communities of East Baton Rouge Parish. He supported Governor Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
's veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
of $5 million for planning and initial construction of the loop. Jindal said that he was vetoing the loop because the state "has scarce capital outlay and general fund dollars available . . . It is therefore important that major projects such as this have the widest support possible and the consensus of the legislative delegation in the area. That consensus has not thus far been achieved. Without the consensus of the public and the legislative delegation, the success of the project is in question. It would therefore be premature to fund the planning of such a large and controversial project until a consensus can be achieved."
A native of Independence
Independence, Louisiana
Independence, originally known as Uncle Sam, is a town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,724 at the 2000 census...
, a town in Tangipahoa Parish near Hammond
Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University...
, Louisiana, Richardson graduated in 1961 from Independence High School there. He and his wife, the former Sylvia Carpenter (born January 16, 1945), reside in Greenwell Springs, where he owns Rebel Electric company. They have a son, Mark Russell Richardson (born ca. 1969). He is a veteran of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. Richardson is a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
.