• Former congressman, U.N. ambassador and energy secretary Bill Richardson became the governor of New Mexico in 2003. Richardson was nominated on December 3, 2008, for the position of commerce secretary by Barack Obama.CNN: Obama Nominates Richardson for Cabinet (December 3, 2008) However, on January 4, 2009, he announced he was withdrawing his name because of a pending investigation about a company that has done business with his state.MSNBC: Richardson to withdraw as commerce secretary (January 4, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: November 15, 1947
  2. Pasadena, California
  3. Assumed office: January 1, 2003
  4. Party: Democrat
  5. Spouse: Barbara Richardson
  6. Alma mater: Tufts University
  7. Elected to a second term in 2006
  8. Previous position held: U.S. secretary of energy
  9. Only Hispanic governor in the United States (not including territories such as Puerto Rico)
  10. Three of four grandparents were Mexican citizens
  11. Addressed the crowd on the final day of the 2008 Democratic Convention, preceding Barack Obama's acceptance speech later that night
  12. Nominated for secretary of commerce in Obama administration on December 3, 2008CNN: Obama Nominates Richardson for Cabinet (December 3, 2008)

• Early Life

  Richardson grew up in Mexico City before moving to Massachusetts as a teenager. He earned a Master's degree in International Affairs from Tufts University, where he was also a baseball player. Richardson was scouted by professional teams, but was never drafted.

• Political Career

  1. 1983-1997: New Mexico representative, 3rd district
  2. 1997-1998: 21st U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
  3. 1998-2001: 9th U.S. secretary of energy
  4. 2003-present: 30th governor of New Mexico

• Presidential Run

  Richardson sought the Democratic nomination in the 2008 Presidential race, but dropped out after finishing in fourth place in the New Hampshire primary. On March 21, 2008, he endorsedBarack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Richardson Endorses Obama | New Mexico | John Edwards | Hillary Rodham Clinton | Barack Obama | Joe Biden | John McCain | Election 2008 | Big Think | Obama Cabinet | Obama Administration | Richardson Drops Out | John Thompson

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