Bill Richardson

 Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico, was a Democratic candidate in the 2008 presidential election. He dropped out of the race in January 2008 after finishing poorly in the Iowa and New Hampshire races. His second (and last) term as governor ends in 2010 (term limits).


 * Board of Advocates, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service

Profiles
Richardson, born November 15, 1947, was inaugurated as the Governor of New Mexico on January 1, 2003. He was named U.S. Secretary of Energy by President William Jefferson Clinton on August 25, 1998, and was named the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on December 13, 1996. 

Early in 2001, Richardson commenced teaching at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and became chairman of Freedom House, a private, non-partisan organization that "promotes democracy worldwide." In June 2001, he joined Kissinger McLarty Associates, a "strategic advisory firm headed by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former White House chief of staff Mack McLarty, as Senior Managing Director." 

He is a member of the Inter-American Dialogue.

"He served as a member of the President's Cabinet and also a member of the National Security Council. Richardson is the first Hispanic to serve in a foreign policy cabinet level position. Previously, Bill Richardson served New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, and was reelected eight times." 

"As a member of the United States Congress, Richardson held one of the highest ranking posts in the House Democratic Leadership, serving as Chief Deputy Whip." 

"Richardson was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the second time in January 1997. As a diplomatic 'trouble shooter', he has worked to free hostages and prisoners in several countries including Burma, Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and the Sudan." 

"Richardson was dispatched by President Clinton to Central Africa, where he successfully brought together former Zairian President Mobutu and Alliance leader Kabila for their first meeting." 

"Richardson received a B.A. (1970) from Tufts University and an M.A. (1971) from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, he has received a number of honorary degrees and has been presented with many honors and awards during his career." 


 * Guest Fellow (01-02), USIP
 * Former Chair (2001-03), Freedom House

Bundlers
Public Citizen relaunched the WhiteHouseForSale website for the 2008 elections.

As of July 27, 2007, Bill Richardson had 14 bundlers for a total of $14,368,236.00 raised. Follow John Edwards' total funds raised and a list of bundlers and amount raised here.

Announces formation of presidential exploratory committee
On January 21, 2007, Richardson announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee, thus taking the first step towards candidacy in the 2008 presidential election. He also said, however, that he would not begin to campaign until at least late March, after he had concluded his efforts to get his agenda passed in the state legislature. 

Richardson Says He Abandoned Boards to Focus on Race

 * "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Richardson resigned from the following boards on July 5, [2002]. He said he left his positions on the corporate boards so he can have more time to campaign."


 * Richardson resigned from the boards of: American Energy Group Inc.; Energy Investors Fund Group; Diamond Offshore Company: Peregrine Systems; City National Bank; Valero Corp. Services Corp.; Venoco; Hispanic Radio Network; Intellibridge Expert Network; and TerraSolar.


 * Richardson was also required by New Mexico state law to make full financial disclosure on sources of income. His employer was listed as Kissinger McLarty Associates and reported income was as follows:


 * "Sources of income over $5,000: United World College (taught part-time and adviser to the president of the international college in Montezuma, N.M.); Harvard University (taught part-time at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government); U.S. Department of Energy; Institute of Peace (promotes peaceful resolution of international conflict); CNN (paid appearance on cable news network); FOX News (paid appearance on cable news network); Telemundo (Spanish-language network); Leading Authorities Inc. professional speaker agency); Christopher Webster Real Estate (Broker that rented out Richardson's home while he worked in Washington D.C.); Kissinger McLarty Associates; Salomon Smith Barney (financial services, investments); Civil Service Retirement Fund (federal retirement); Council for Responsible Nutrition (trade association, based in Washington, D.C., for the dietary supplement industry); Terra Solar (solar energy company); Interstate Natural Gas Association (trade association that advocates on behalf of the natural gas pipeline industry); Peregrine Systems, Inc. (software company based in San Diego, CA); FFD Development Co. (Cendant) (New York-based company that provides travel, real estate, vehicle and financial services around the world); EIF Management (Energy Investment Fund); Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. (board member of oil drilling services company); Chartwell Partners LLC (human resources development company based in Illinois); CEMEX Inc. (Cement company); Choate Rosemary Hall (boarding and day secondary school in Wallingford, Conn.); Valero Corp. Services Corp. (board member of refining company based in San Antonio, TX); Greater Talent Network (celebrity speaking network)."


 * "Memberships on boards of for-profit businesses: Freedom House; Natural Resources Defense Council; Spanish Colonial Arts Museum; Hispanic Radio Network; National Alliance for Hispanic Health; United Way International; United World College; Cendant Corporation; City National Bank; Commission on Election Reform; Diamond Offshore; EIF (Energy Investment Fund); Intellibridge Expert Network; Peregrine Systems; Terra Solar; Valero Energy Corp.; Venoco (Oil and gas company based in Carpinteria, CA); and American Energy Group Inc.(Houston-based oil and gas company)."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * U.S. presidential election, 2008
 * Michael A. Cohen formerly served as his chief speechwriter
 * Harbhajan Singh Yogi

External articles

 * Compare where Bill Richardson stands to other 2008 presidential candidates at whereIstand.com
 * Bill Richardson and Thomas F. McLarty, OPEC's clout isn't what it used to be, San Jose Mercury News, November 4, 2001.
 * Gilbert Gallegos, Richardson says he abandoned boards to focus on race, Albequerque Tribune, 2002.
 * Mark Z. Barabak, "A New New Democrat Looks West and Forward," Los Angeles Times, August 14, 2005.
 * Richardson joins growing field of presidential hopefuls, CNN, January 21, 2007.
 * Scott Martelle, "Richardson formally declares candidacy for president," Los Angeles Times (Boston Globe), May 22, 2007.
 * Pam Spaulding, "Winners and losers at the HRC/LOGO VisibleVote08 forum," AMERICAblog, August 10, 2007.