Bill Richardson

William Blaine Richardson III was born in Pasadena, California, on November 15, 1947.{{cite web |title=Richardson, Bill, 1947 November 15 |url=https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no97050046.html |website=LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=October 21, 2020}} He grew up in the borough of Coyoacán in Mexico City.{{cite news |first=Leslie |last=Linthicum |date=January 21, 2007 |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/richardson/531611nm01-21-07.htm |title=Growing Up in Mexico: Inside, Outside the Walls |newspaper=Albuquerque Journal}} His father, William Blaine Richardson Jr. (1891–1972), who was of Anglo-American and Mexican descent, was an American bank executive from Boston who worked in Mexico for what is now Citibank.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-taps-bill-richardson-for-commerce/ |title=Obama Taps Bill Richardson For Commerce|work=CBS News |date=December 2, 2008|access-date=December 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229133032/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/02/politics/main4643765.shtml |archive-date=December 29, 2008|url-status=live}} Richardson's father was born on a ship heading towards Nicaragua.

His mother, María Luisa López-Collada Márquez (1914–2011), had been his father's secretary—she was the Mexican-born daughter of a Mexican mother and a Spanish father from Villaviciosa, Asturias.{{cite news| last =Plotz| first =David| title =Energy Secretary Bill Richardson| work =Slate| date =June 23, 2000| url =https://www.slate.com/id/84864/| access-date = November 7, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081006001845/http://www.slate.com/id/84864/| archive-date= October 6, 2008 | url-status= live}} Just before Bill Richardson was born, his father sent his mother to California to give birth because, as Richardson explained, "My father had a complex about not having been born in the United States."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/20/AR2007052001407.html |title=The Pro-Familia Candidate |first=Joel|last=Achenbach |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 27, 2007 |access-date=January 1, 2008}}

Richardson, a United States citizen by birth, spent his childhood in a lavish hacienda in Coyoacán's barrio of San Francisco where he was raised as a Roman Catholic.{{cite web|last=Fairchild|first=Mary|url=http://christianity.about.com/od/religionpolitics/p/richardsonfaith.htm|title=Presidential Candidate Bill Richardson|work=About.com|quote=I feel that through my Roman Catholic beliefs...|access-date=June 22, 2010|archive-date=October 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021044241/http://christianity.about.com/od/religionpolitics/p/richardsonfaith.htm|url-status=dead}} When Richardson was 13, his parents sent him to the U.S. to attend Middlesex School, a preparatory school in Concord, Massachusetts, where he played baseball as a pitcher. He entered Tufts University{{cite news| url= http://blogs.uit.tufts.edu/digitalcollectionsandarchives/| title= Tufts Alum Chosen to join the Obama cabinet| website= dca.tufts.edu| date= December 4, 2008| access-date= December 4, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081206055500/http://blogs.uit.tufts.edu/digitalcollectionsandarchives/| archive-date= December 6, 2008| url-status= dead}} in 1966, where he continued to play baseball.{{cite web |url=http://dl.tufts.edu/view_image.jsp?urn=tufts:central:dca:UA046:UA046.003.DO.04388 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081206055557/http://dl.tufts.edu/view_image.jsp?urn=tufts:central:dca:UA046:UA046.003.DO.04388 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |title=Bill Richardson, Tufts baseball player, ca. 1969| publisher= dca.tufts.edu | date=December 4, 2008 | access-date = December 4, 2008}}

In 1967, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League, pitching for the Cotuit Kettleers; he returned to the league in 1968 with the Harwich Mariners.{{cite news |title=New Names, New Faces Show Up in Cape League Teams |pages=19 |newspaper=The Cape Codder |location=Orleans, MA |date=June 13, 1968 |url=https://snow-library.com/viewer/2491?medianame=1968_thecapecodder_vol23_issue15_orleans_000019 |access-date=April 27, 2021}}{{cite web |first=Joe |last=Sherman |url=http://www.capecodbaseball.org/news/league-news/index.html?article_id=1284 |title=Cape Cod League Alumni's Great Opening Week |publisher=Cape Cod Baseball |access-date=April 27, 2021 |date=April 12, 2009}} A Kettleers program included the words "Drafted by K.C." Richardson said:

{{blockquote|When I saw that program in 1967, I was convinced I was drafted.... And it stayed with me all these years.{{cite news |url=http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/35485.html |title=Four decades later, Richardson acknowledges he wasn't drafted by pro baseball team |agency=Associated Press |date=November 24, 2005}}}} Richardson's original biographies stated he had been drafted by the Kansas City Athletics and the Chicago Cubs to play professional baseball, but a 2005 Albuquerque Journal investigation discovered he never was on any official draft. Richardson acknowledged the error, which he maintained was unintentional, saying he had been scouted by several teams and told that he "would or could" be drafted, but he was mistaken in saying that he actually had been drafted.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/24/AR2005112400739.html |title=Richardson backs off baseball claim |agency=Associated Press |date=November 25, 2005 |access-date=January 1, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

Richardson earned a Bachelor's degree at Tufts University in 1970, majoring in French and political science, and was a member and president of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He earned a master's degree in international affairs from the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971. He had met his future wife Barbara (née Flavin) when they were in high school in Concord, Massachusetts, and they married in 1972 following her graduation from Wheaton College.{{Cite web|url=http://sfreporter.com/articles/publish/bill-richardson-061307-stand-by-your-man.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514085830/http://sfreporter.com/articles/publish/bill-richardson-061307-stand-by-your-man.php|url-status=dead|title=There's Something About Bill: Stand By Your Man|archive-date=May 14, 2008}}

Richardson was a descendant of William Brewster, a passenger on the Mayflower.{{cite web |title=Ancestry of Bill Richardson |website=Wargs.com |url=http://www.wargs.com/political/richardson.html |access-date=April 10, 2015}}

After college, Richardson worked for Republican Congressman F. Bradford Morse from Massachusetts from 1971 to 1973. In 1974, he left to work on congressional relations for the Kissinger State Department during the Nixon administration. Between 1976 and 1978 he was a staff member for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.{{Cite web |title=RICHARDSON, Bill {{!}} US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives |url=https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/RICHARDSON,-Bill-(R000229)/ |access-date=September 3, 2023 |website=history.house.gov |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Sam |title=Bill Richardson, Champion of Americans Held Overseas, Dies at 75 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/02/us/politics/bill-richardson-dead.html |access-date=September 3, 2023 |newspaper=New York Times |date=September 2, 2023}}

Image:Congressman Bill Richardson.jpg]]

In 1978, Richardson moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1980 he ran for the House of Representatives in the state's 1st congressional district, but lost narrowly to longtime Republican incumbent and future United States Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29083|title=Our Campaigns - NM District 01 Race - Nov 04, 1980|website=www.ourcampaigns.com}} Two years later, Richardson was elected to New Mexico's newly created third district, which took in most of the northern part of the state.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=210034|title=Our Campaigns - NM District 03 - D Primary Race - Jun 08, 1982|website=www.ourcampaigns.com}} Richardson spent 14 years in Congress, representing the country's most diverse district and holding 2,000 town meetings.

Richardson served as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 98th Congress (1984–1985){{cite web |title=History Of The CHC |url=https://chc.house.gov/history-of-the-chc |website=Congressional Hispanic Caucus |date=December 13, 2022 |access-date=September 5, 2023}} and as Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Native American Affairs in the 103rd Congress (1993–1994). Richardson sponsored a number of bills, including the American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 1994,{{cite web |title=H.R.4155 - American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 1994 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/4155 |website=congress.gov |access-date=September 5, 2023 |date=March 24, 1994}} the Indian Dams Safety Act,{{cite web |title=H.R.1426 - Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1426 |website=congress.gov |access-date=September 5, 2023 |date=March 18, 1993}} the Tribal Self-Governance Act,{{cite web |title=H.R.3508 - Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3508 |website=congress.gov |access-date=September 5, 2023 |date=November 15, 1993}} and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act.{{cite web |title=H.R.5122 - Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/house-bill/5122/all-info |website=congress.gov |access-date=September 5, 2023 |date=May 7, 1992}}

He became a member of the Democratic leadership as a deputy majority whip, where he became friends with Bill Clinton after they worked closely on several issues, including when he served as the ranking House Democrat in favor of NAFTA's passage in 1993.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/548170 |title=NAFTA Supporter Joins Obama Inner Circle |first=Tim|last=Harper |date=December 4, 2008 | location=Toronto | work=The Star}} For his work as a back channel to Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Mexico's president at the time of the negotiations, he was awarded the Aztec Eagle Award, Mexico's highest award for a foreigner.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/14/us/traveling-troubleshooter-ready-settle-down-un-william-blaine-richardson.html |author=Brooke, James| title=Traveling Troubleshooter Is Ready to Settle Down, at the U.N. - William Blaine Richardson | work=The New York Times | date=December 14, 1996 | access-date=September 11, 2016}} Clinton in turn sent Richardson on various foreign policy missions, including a trip in 1995 in which Richardson traveled to Baghdad with Peter Bourne and engaged in lengthy one-on-one negotiations with Saddam Hussein to secure the release of two American aerospace workers who had been captured by the Iraqis after wandering over the Kuwaiti border.{{cite news |title=Freed Americans Say They Weren't Mistreated |url=https://www.deseret.com/1995/7/17/19182760/freed-americans-say-they-weren-t-mistreated |access-date=September 4, 2023 |work=Deseret News |date=July 17, 1995}} Richardson also visited Nicaragua, Guatemala, Cuba, Peru, India, North Korea, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Sudan to represent U.S. interests and met with Slobodan Milošević.

In 1996, he played a major role in securing the release of American Evan Hunziker from North Korean custody{{Cite news|title=Man Once Held as a Spy In North Korea Is a Suicide|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/19/us/man-once-held-as-a-spy-in-north-korea-is-a-suicide.html|date=December 19, 1996|access-date=June 8, 2009|last=Egan|first=Timothy}} and for securing a pardon for Eliadah McCord, an American convicted and imprisoned in Bangladesh.{{Cite news|title=Houston Woman Freed from Bangladesh Prison—She Served 4 Years on Heroin Smuggling Conviction|work=Dallas Morning News|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3D6BE428CCE0E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|date=July 31, 1996|access-date=August 16, 2009|agency=Associated Press}} Due to these missions, Richardson was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times.

Richardson served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from February 1997 to August 1998.

In 1997, working alongside Nelson Mandela, he helped negotiate the transfer of power between Mobutu Sese Seko and Laurent-Désiré Kabila at the conclusion of the First Congo War.{{cite news |title=Zaire's president, rebel leader agree to talk |url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/29/zaire/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031022153723/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/29/zaire/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2003 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |agency=CNN |date=April 29, 1997}}{{cite web |title=U.S. Envoy Meets African Leaders On Zaire Crisis |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/us-envoy-meets-african-leaders-zaire-crisis |website=OCHA: Relief Web |access-date=September 4, 2023 |date=May 6, 1997}} In 1998 he flew to Afghanistan to meet with the Taliban and Abdul Rachid Dostum, an Uzbek warlord.{{Cite news |last=Kantor |first=Jodi |date=December 21, 2007 |title=Personal Touch for Richardson in Envoy Role |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/us/politics/21richardson.html |access-date=September 3, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} The ceasefire he believed he had negotiated with the help of Bruce Riedel of the National Security Council failed to hold;{{cite book|first=Dexter|last=Filkins|author-link=Dexter Filkins|title=The Forever War|publisher=Vintage Books/Random House|location=New York City|date=2009|orig-year=2008|isbn=978-0307279446|pages=35–37}} neither was he successful in convincing the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden.{{cite web |last1=Holtom |first1=Paul |title=United Nations Arms Embargoes: Their Impact on Arms Flows and Target Behaviour. Case study: The Taliban, 2000–2006 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/files/misc/UNAE/SIPRI07UNAETal.pdf |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=September 4, 2023 |date=2007}}

Image:Bill Richardson, official DOE photo.png]]

The Senate confirmed Richardson to be Clinton's Secretary of Energy on July 31, 1998. His tenure at the Department of Energy was marred by the Wen Ho Lee nuclear controversy. As told by The New York Times in a special report,{{cite news|first1=James|last1=Risen|first2=Jeff|last2=Gerth|date=March 6, 1999|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/06/world/breach-los-alamos-special-report-china-stole-nuclear-secrets-for-bombs-us-aides.html|title=BREACH AT LOS ALAMOS: A special report; China Stole Nuclear Secrets For Bombs, U.S. Aides Say|newspaper=The New York Times}} a scientist later named as Lee at the Los Alamos National Laboratory was reported as a suspect who might have given nuclear secrets to the People's Republic of China government. The article mentioned Richardson several times, although he denied in sworn testimony that he was the source or that he made improper disclosures.{{cite news|first=Adam|last=Rankin|date=July 10, 2005|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/370653nm07-10-05.htm|title=Gov. May Figure In Lee Lawsuit; Richardson Named As Likely Source of Leak|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904201330/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/370653nm07-10-05.htm|url-status=dead}} After being fired and spending nine months in solitary confinement as an alleged security risk,{{cite book|first1=Wen Ho|last1=Lee|author-link1=Wen Ho Lee|first2=Helen|last2=Zia|date=2001|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=79LaAAAAMAAJ&q=Richardson|title=My Country Versus Me: The first-hand account by the Los Alamos scientist who was falsely accused of being a spy|publisher=Hyperion Books|location=New York City|isbn=9780786868032|page=320}} Lee was later cleared of espionage charges and released with an apology from the judge.{{cite web|first=Jeremy|last=Wu|date=March 12, 2018|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/revisiting-judge-parkers-apology-dr-wen-ho-lee-jeremy-wu|title=Revisiting Judge Parker's Apology to Dr. Wen Ho Lee|website=LinkedIn}} Eventually, Lee won a $1.6 million settlement against the federal government and several news outlets, including the Times and The Washington Post, for the accusation.{{cite news| last =Mears| first =Bill |title =Deal in Wen Ho Lee case may be imminent| work =CNN| date =May 22, 2006| url =http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/22/scotus.wenholee/| access-date = November 7, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081218010207/http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/22/scotus.wenholee/| archive-date= December 18, 2008 | url-status= live}}{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Farhi|date=June 3, 2006|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/02/AR2006060201060.html?noredirect=on|title=U.S., Media Settle With Wen Ho Lee|newspaper=The Washington Post|page=A1}} Richardson was also criticized by the United States Senate for his handling of the espionage inquiry, which involved missing computer hard drives containing sensitive data, and for not testifying in front of Congress sooner.{{cite news|first=Matthew|last=Purdy|date=February 4, 2001|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/04/us/the-making-of-a-suspect-the-case-of-wen-ho-lee.html|title=The Making of a Suspect: The Case of Wen Ho Lee|newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite news|first1=Matthew|last1=Purdy|first2=James|last2=Sterngold|date=February 5, 2001|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/us/the-prosecution-unravels-the-case-of-wen-ho-lee.html|title=The Prosecution Unravels: The Case of Wen Ho Lee|newspaper=The New York Times}} Richardson justified his response by saying that he was waiting to uncover more information before speaking to Congress.{{cite news |first1=Christopher Ian|last1=McCaleb|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/06/21/los.alamos/index.html |title=Richardson says FBI has determined drives did not leave Los Alamos |website=CNN |date=June 21, 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320152228/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/06/21/los.alamos/index.html |archive-date=March 20, 2007}} Republican Senators called for Richardson's resignation, while both parties criticized his role in the incident, and the scandal ended Richardson's hope of being named as Al Gore's running mate for the 2000 presidential election.

Richardson tightened security following the scandal, leading to the creation of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA, not to be confused with the NSA and the NSC). This foreshadowed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in reaction to the 9/11 attacks. He created the Director for Native American Affairs position in the department in 1998, and in January 2000, oversaw the largest return of federal lands, 84,000 acres (340 km²), to a Native American Tribe (the Northern Ute Tribe of Utah) in more than 100 years.{{cite news|title=CNN staffs and wire reports – U.S. land transfer to Utah tribe would be largest in 100 years |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/01/14/indian.lands/ |website=CNN |date=January 14, 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206035150/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/01/14/indian.lands/ |archive-date=December 6, 2008 }} Richardson also directed the overhaul of the department's consultation policy with Native American tribes and established the Tribal Energy Program.

File:RichardsonAmb.jpg]]

With the end of the Clinton administration in January 2001, Richardson took on a number of different positions. He was an adjunct professor at Harvard Kennedy School and a lecturer at the United World College of the American West (UWC-USA), and also taught at the University of New Mexico, and New Mexico State University.{{cite news |first=Nedra|last=Pickler |url= http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_5950108 |title=Richardson declares presidential campaign |newspaper=The Denver Post |date= May 22, 2007}}{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2007 |title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Bill Richardson - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-bill-richardson/ |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} In 2000, Richardson was awarded a United States Institute of Peace Senior Fellowship. He spent the next year researching and writing on the negotiations with North Korea and the energy dimensions of U.S. relations. In 2011, Richardson was named a senior fellow at the Baker Institute of Rice University.

Richardson joined Kissinger McLarty Associates, a "strategic advisory firm" headed by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Clinton White House chief of staff Mack McLarty, as Senior Managing Director.{{cite web |url=http://www.consespain-usa.org/intro/biografias/ing/24.html |title=Fundación Consejo España-EEUU Bio |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521214735/http://www.consespain-usa.org/intro/biografias/ing/24.html |archive-date=May 21, 2006}}

From February 2001 to June 2002, he served on the board of directors of Peregrine Systems. He also served on the corporate boards of several energy companies, including Valero Energy Corporation and Diamond Offshore Drilling. He withdrew from these boards after being nominated by the Democratic Party for governor of New Mexico, but retained considerable stock holdings in Valero and Diamond Offshore. He would later sell these stocks during his campaign for president in 2007, saying he was "getting questions" about the propriety of these holdings, especially given his past as energy secretary, and that it had become a distraction.{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/bill-richardson-sells-stock-in-valero-energy-corp-amid-questions |title=Bill Richardson Sells Stock in Valero Energy Corp. Amid Questions |work=Fox News |agency=Associated Press |date=June 1, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2018}}

Richardson was on the board of directors of the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD),{{Cite web|url=https://nicd.arizona.edu/nicd-board/|title=NICD Board}} which was created after the 2011 Tucson shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.{{Cite web|url=https://nicd.arizona.edu/about/|title=About}}

{{See also|2002 New Mexico gubernatorial election}}

Richardson was elected governor of New Mexico in November 2002, having defeated the Republican nominee, John Sanchez, 56–39%. During the campaign, he set a Guinness World Record for most handshakes in eight hours by a politician, breaking Theodore Roosevelt's record.{{cite news| last =Mears| first =Bill| title =A Whole Lotta Shaking| website=E-News|publisher =Tufts University|location=Somerville, Massachusetts| date =September 16, 2002| url =http://enews.tufts.edu/stories/1042/2002/09/16/WholeLottaShaking/| access-date =November 7, 2008| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081210032425/http://enews.tufts.edu/stories/1042/2002/09/16/WholeLottaShaking/| archive-date =December 10, 2008| url-status =dead}} He succeeded a two-term Republican governor, Gary Johnson.{{Cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/78543/gary-johnson-2012-republican-candidate-new-mexico|title=Free Johnson|last=Birnbaum|first=Ben|date=November 11, 2010|magazine=New Republic|access-date=October 31, 2016}} He took office in January 2003 as the only Hispanic Governor in the United States. In his first year, Richardson proposed "tax cuts to promote growth and investment" and passed a broad personal income tax cut and won a statewide special election to transfer money from the state's Permanent Fund to meet current expenses and projects. In early 2005, Richardson helped make New Mexico the first state in the nation to provide $400,000 in life insurance coverage for New Mexico National Guard members who serve on active duty. Thirty-five states have since followed suit.

Working with the legislature, he formed Richardson's Investment Partnership (GRIP) in 2003. The partnership has been used to fund large-scale public infrastructure projects throughout New Mexico, including the use of highway funds to construct a brand new commuter rail line (the Rail Runner) that runs between Belen, and Santa Fe. He supported a variety of LGBT rights in his career as governor; he added sexual orientation and gender identity to New Mexico's list of civil rights categories. However, he was opposed to same-sex marriage, and he faced criticism for his use of the anti-gay slur maricón on Don Imus's morning radio show in March 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaynewswatch.com/Page.cfm?PageID=22&SID=1842 |title=Richardson sorry for 'maricón' moment |date=July 10, 2007 |first1=Karen|last1=Ocamb|first2=Chris|last2=Crain |website=Gay Newswatch|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005153748/http://www.gaynewswatch.com/Page.cfm?PageID=22&SID=1842 |archive-date=October 5, 2008 }}

During the summer of 2003, he met with a delegation from North Korea at its request to discuss concerns over that country's nuclear weapons. At the request of the White House, he also flew to North Korea in 2005 and met with another North Korean delegation in 2006. On December 7, 2006, Secretary General of the Organization of American States José Miguel Insulza named Richardson his Special Envoy for Hemispheric Affairs with the mandate to "promote dialogue on issues of importance to the region, such as immigration and free trade".{{Cite press release|url=https://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-271/06|title=New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Named Special Envoy of the OAS Secretary General for Hemispheric Affairs |date=December 7, 2006| website=www.oas.org}}

In 2003, Richardson backed and signed legislation creating a permit system for New Mexicans to carry concealed handguns. He applied for and received a concealed weapons permit, though by his own admission he seldom carries a gun.{{cite news |url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/FRONTPAGE/711260306 |work=Concord Monitor |title=Richardson stands out as pro-gun Democrat |year=2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610110928/http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071126%2FFRONTPAGE%2F711260306 |archive-date=June 10, 2008}}

As Richardson discussed frequently during his 2008 run for president, he supported a controversial New Mexico law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses for reasons of public safety. He said that because of the program, traffic fatalities had gone down, and the percentage of uninsured drivers decreased from 33% to 11%.{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Cabinet/Bill_Richardson_Immigration.htm|title= Bill Richardson on Immigration |publisher= ontheissues.org |date=November 15, 2007}}

File:GovBillRichardson&RichardBranson 2010.jpg

Richardson was named Chair of the Democratic Governors Association in 2004 and announced a desire to increase the role of Democratic governors in deciding the party's future.

In December 2005, Richardson announced the intention of New Mexico to collaborate with billionaire Richard Branson to bring space tourism to the proposed Spaceport America located near Las Cruces.{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=T.R. |title=N.M. Plans Launchpad for Space Tourism |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/12/15/nm-plans-launchpad-for-space-tourism/7c29accb-f1d4-4cbb-a235-60dd9c401149/ |access-date=September 5, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 15, 2005}} In 2006, Forbes credited Richardson's reforms in naming Albuquerque the best city in the United States for business and careers. The Cato Institute, meanwhile, consistently rated Richardson as one of the most fiscally responsible Democratic governors in the nation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cato.org/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors|newspaper=Cato Institute|access-date=October 31, 2016}}

In March 2006, Richardson vetoed legislation that would ban the use of eminent domain to transfer property to private developers, as allowed by the Supreme Court's 2005 decision in Kelo v. City of New London.{{cite news|url=http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/40445.html |title=Governor vetoes eminent domain legislation |newspaper=The Santa Fe New Mexican |date=March 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303170753/http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/40445.html |archive-date=March 3, 2007 }} He promised to work with the legislature to draft new legislation addressing the issue in the 2007 legislative session.

On September 7, 2006, Richardson flew to Sudan to meet President Omar Al-Bashir and successfully negotiated the release of imprisoned journalist Paul Salopek. The Sudanese had charged Salopek with espionage on August 26, 2006, while on a National Geographic assignment. In January 2007, at the request of the Save Darfur Coalition, he brokered a 60-day cease-fire between al-Bashir and leaders of several rebel factions in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. The cease-fire never became effective, however, with allegations of breaches on all sides.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/11/world/africa/11darfur.html?th&emc=th |title=U.S. Governor Brokers Truce For Darfur |work=The New York Times |date=January 11, 2007 | first=Lydia | last=Polgreen}}

{{See also|2006 New Mexico gubernatorial election}}

File:2006 New Mexico gubernatorial election results map by county.svg

Richardson won his second term as Governor of New Mexico on November 7, 2006, 68–32% against former New Mexico Republican Party Chairman John Dendahl. Richardson received the highest percentage of votes in any gubernatorial election in the state's history.{{cite web |url=http://www.sic.state.nm.us/governor.htm |title=Council Members: Governor Bill Richardson |publisher= New Mexico State Investment Council. See also New Mexico gubernatorial election, 2006}}

In December 2006, Richardson announced that he would support a ban on cockfighting in New Mexico{{cite news |url=http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/54348.html |title=Governor will support a ban on cockfighting |work=The Santa Fe New Mexican |date=December 27, 2006}} which became law on March 12, 2007. Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands are now the only parts of the United States where cockfighting is legal.{{cite news|url=http://www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?ID=20364 |title=Cockfighting outlawed |publisher=KRQE News |date=March 12, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=June 2015}}

During New Mexico's 2007 legislative session, Richardson signed a bill into law that made New Mexico the 12th state to legalize cannabis for medical reasons. When asked if this would hurt him in a presidential election, he stated that it did not matter, as it was "the right thing to do".{{cite news |title=New Mexico Bars Drug Charge When Overdose Is Reported |first=Ralph |last=Blumenthal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/05/us/05drugs.html?fta=y |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 5, 2007 |access-date=November 24, 2010 |quote=The governor lobbied strongly for the medical marijuana bill, which he said could hurt his presidential prospects but was "the right thing to do."}}

During 2008 and 2009, Richardson faced "possible legal issues" while a federal grand jury investigated pay-to-play allegations in the awarding of a lucrative state contract to a company that gave campaign contributions to Richardson's political action committee, Moving America Forward.{{Cite news

|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/12/25/cabinet-choices-touch-off-scramble-in-states/

|title=Cabinet choices touch off scramble in states

|agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Denver Post

|access-date=December 26, 2008 |date=December 25, 2008

}}{{Cite news

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/us/politics/19richardson.html?_r=1

|title=Political Donor's Contracts Under Inquiry in New Mexico

|newspaper=The New York Times

|access-date=December 26, 2008

| first1=Dan

| last1=Frosch

| first2=James C.

| last2=McKinley Jr

| date=December 19, 2008

}}{{Cite news |first1=Martin Z. |last1=Braun |first2=William |last2=Selway

|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aL0GGUluJeT8&refer=worldwide

|title=Grand Jury Probes Richardson Donor's New Mexico Financing Fee

|agency=Bloomberg News

|access-date=December 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230153006/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aL0GGUluJeT8&refer=worldwide |archive-date=December 30, 2011

}} The company in question, CDR, was alleged to have funneled more than $100,000 in donations to Richardson's PAC in exchange for state construction projects.{{Cite web

|first=Andy

|last=Barr

|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18741.html

|title=Bill Richardson tarnished by scandal

|website=Politico

|date=February 12, 2009

|access-date=February 12, 2009

}} Richardson said when he withdrew his Commerce Secretary nomination that he was innocent; his popularity then slipped below 50% in his home state. In August 2009, federal prosecutors dropped the pending investigation against the governor, and there was speculation in the media about Richardson's career after his second term as New Mexico governor concluded.

On March 18, 2009, he signed a bill repealing the death penalty, making New Mexico the second U.S. state, after New Jersey, to repeal the death penalty by legislative means since the 1960s.{{cite news | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008883826_apusdeathpenalty.html | work=The Seattle Times | title=US governor signs measure to abolish death penalty | first=Deborah | last=Baker | date=March 18, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322021929/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008883826_apusdeathpenalty.html | archive-date=March 22, 2009}} Richardson was subsequently honored with the 2009 Human Rights Award by Death Penalty Focus.{{cite web|title=Past Honorees - 26th Annual Death Penalty Focus Awards Dinner|url=http://abolitionawards.com/past-honorees/|website=26th Annual Death Penalty Focus Awards Dinner|access-date=September 4, 2017}}

In its April 2010 report, ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Richardson one of the 11 worst governors in the United States because of various ethics issues throughout Richardson's term as governor.{{cite web |url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/worstgovernors#Richardson |title=America's Worst Governors |date=April 21, 2010 |publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington |access-date=November 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231023405/http://www.citizensforethics.org/worstgovernors#Richardson |archive-date=December 31, 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news | last = Vogel | first = Ed | title = Gibbons named on list of worst governors | newspaper = Las Vegas Review-Journal | date = April 21, 2010 | url = http://www.lvrj.com/news/gibbons-named-on-list-of-worst-governors-91723774.html | access-date = May 5, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100424192548/http://www.lvrj.com/news/gibbons-named-on-list-of-worst-governors-91723774.html| archive-date= April 24, 2010 | url-status= live}}{{Cite news|title=Scandals Land Gibbons On 'Worst Governors' List |newspaper=KVVU-TV (Fox 5, Las Vegas) |date=April 21, 2010 |url=http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/23220458/detail.html |access-date=May 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423033343/http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/23220458/detail.html |archive-date=April 23, 2010 |url-status=dead}} The group accused Richardson of allowing political allies to benefit from firms connected to state investments, rewarding close associates with state positions or benefits (including providing a longtime friend and political supporter with a costly state contract), and allowing pay-to-play activity in his administration. They also opined that he fell short on efforts to make state government more transparent.{{cite web |title= Crew's Worst Governors |publisher= Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington |url= http://www.citizensforethics.org/worstgovernors#Gibbons |access-date= May 5, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100424212401/http://www.citizensforethics.org/worstgovernors#Gibbons |archive-date= April 24, 2010 |url-status= dead}}

In December 2010, while still serving as governor, Richardson returned to North Korea in an unofficial capacity at the invitation of the North's chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-gwan. Upon arriving in Pyongyang on December 16, Richardson told reporters that his "objective is to see if we can reduce the tension on the Korean peninsula, that is my objective. I am going to have a whole series of talks with North Korean officials here and I look forward to my discussions", he said.{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/12/201012162339644529.html|title=US governor visits North Korea|publisher=Aljazeera|date=December 16, 2010|access-date=December 16, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101217050754/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/12/201012162339644529.html| archive-date= December 17, 2010 | url-status= live}} On December 19, Richardson said his talks with North Korean officials made "some progress" in trying to resolve what he calls a "very tense" situation. Speaking from Pyongyang, Richardson told U.S. television network CNN that a North Korean general he met was receptive to his proposal for setting up a hotline between North and South Korean forces, and also was open to his idea for a military commission to monitor disputes in and around the Yellow Sea.{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/un-security-council-in-emergency-talks-on-korean-tensions-112153499/132486.html|title=UN Security Council in Emergency Talks on Korean Tensions|newspaper=Voice of America|date=December 19, 2010|access-date=December 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223063807/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/UN-Security-Council-in-Emergency-Talks-on-Korean-Tensions-112153499.html|archive-date=December 23, 2010|url-status=live}}

After his return from North Korea, Richardson dealt with the issue of a pardon for William H. Bonney, aka Billy the Kid, for killing Sheriff William J. Brady of Lincoln County, New Mexico, some 130 years before. Following up on the promise of a pardon at the time by then-territorial governor Lew Wallace, Richardson said he could not pardon Bonney posthumously because he did not want to second-guess his predecessor's decision. "It was a very close call", Richardson said. "The romanticism appealed to me to issue a pardon, but the facts and the evidence did not support it."{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/31/new.mexico.billy/index.html?hpt=T2|title=No pardon for Billy the Kid|website=CNN|last=Gast|first=Phil|date=December 31, 2010|access-date=December 31, 2010}}

Richardson's second term in office ended in 2011 and he was term-limited from further terms as governor.{{Cite web

|url=http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/BOS4-9.pdf

|title=Constitutional and statutory provisions for number of consecutive terms of elected state officials

|publisher=National Governors Association

|access-date=April 27, 2008

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414021055/http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/BOS4-9.pdf

|archive-date=April 14, 2008

|url-status=dead

}}

{{Main|Bill Richardson 2008 presidential campaign}}

{{See also|2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection}}

Image:RichardsoninElkoJuly2007.JPG; July 2007]]

Richardson was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 2008 presidential election but dropped out on January 10, 2008, after lackluster showings in the first primary and caucus contests.{{cite news |title=Richardson to end presidential run |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22578720 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |agency=NBC News |date=January 9, 2008}} Despite his long history and friendship with the Clinton family, Richardson endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination on March 21, 2008, over Hillary Clinton.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/23/richardson/index.html |title=Richardson: 'I am very loyal to the Clintons' |work=CNN|date= March 23, 2008|access-date=January 20, 2012}} Commentator and Clinton ally James Carville compared Richardson to Judas Iscariot for the move.{{cite news|last=Nagourney |first=Adam |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22richardson.html |title=First a Tense Talk With Clinton, Then Richardson Backs Obama |work=The New York Times |date=March 22, 2008 |access-date=January 20, 2012}} Richardson responded in a Washington Post article, feeling "compelled to defend [himself] against character assassination and baseless allegations."{{Cite news

|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/01/AR2008040100885.html|title=Loyalty to My Country|first=Bill|last=Richardson |date=April 1, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 27, 2008}}

Richardson was a rumored vice presidential candidate for Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama, and was fully vetted by the Obama campaign,{{cite news|title=In Obama's Choice, a 'Very Personal Decision'|first1=Jeff|last1=Zeleny|first2=Jim|last2=Rutenberg|date=August 23, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24deconstruct.html?ref=politics|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 24, 2008}} before Obama chose Joe Biden on August 23, 2008.{{cite web|first=Ted|last=Barrett|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/10/obama.vp/|title=Obama VP team discusses 20 possible picks|website=CNN|date=June 10, 2008|access-date=August 21, 2008}}

{{See also|Confirmations of Barack Obama's Cabinet}}

Following Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election, Richardson's name was frequently mentioned as a possible Cabinet appointment in the incoming Obama administration. Most of this speculation surrounded the position of Secretary of State, given Richardson's background as a diplomat.{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Duray|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05/bill-richardson-obamas-se_n_141574.html |title=Bill Richardson: Obama's Secretary Of State? |work=Huffington Post |date= November 5, 2008|access-date=January 20, 2012}} Richardson did not publicly comment on the speculation.{{cite web |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/11/05/1656896.aspx |title=Richardson mum on job interview |website=CNN |access-date=January 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208112251/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/11/05/1656896.aspx |archive-date=December 8, 2008}} Ultimately, Hillary Clinton was Obama's nominee for Secretary of State.{{Cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927114952/http://news.sky.com/story/651982/obama-confirms-hillary-in-top-job |archive-date=September 27, 2012 |url=http://news.sky.com/story/651982/obama-confirms-hillary-in-top-job |title=Obama Confirms Hillary in Top Job |publisher=Sky News |date=December 1, 2008}}

Richardson was also considered for the position of Commerce Secretary. On December 3, 2008, Obama tapped Richardson for the post.{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/02/richardson.commerce/index.html | work=CNN | title=Obama to nominate Richardson for Cabinet | date=December 2, 2008 | access-date=April 26, 2010}} On January 4, 2009, Richardson withdrew his name as Commerce Secretary nominee because of the federal grand jury investigation into pay-to-play allegations. The New York Times had reported in late December that the grand jury investigation issue would be raised at Richardson's confirmation hearings. Later, in August 2009, Justice Department officials decided not to seek indictments.{{cite news |title=No 'pay-to-play' indictment for Gov. |first=Michael |last=Herzenberg |url=http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/politics/politics_krqe_albuquerque_no_pay_to_play_indictment_for_richardson_200908262210 |newspaper=News 13 |agency=KRQE |publisher=LIN TV Corporation |location=Albuquerque, New Mexico |date=August 26, 2009 |access-date=August 10, 2011 |quote=The U.S. Department of Justice has decided not to seek criminal indictments against Gov. Bill Richardson or former high-ranking members of his administration |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211181750/http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/politics/politics_krqe_albuquerque_no_pay_to_play_indictment_for_richardson_200908262210 |archive-date=December 11, 2011}}

According to his autobiography, while serving as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson was asked by the White House in 1997 to interview Monica Lewinsky for a job on his staff. Richardson did so, and later offered her a position which she declined.{{cite news |title=Richardson, U.N. Mission Subpoenaed On Lewinsky Job Offer |url=https://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/01/23/richardson/ |access-date=September 4, 2023 |agency=CNN |date=January 23, 1998}}

The American Spectator alleged that Richardson knew more about the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal than he declared to the grand jury.{{cite news|url=http://spectator.org/archives/1998/11/15/slick-billy/|title=The American Spectator : Slick Billy|last=York|first=Byron|date=November 15, 1998|work=American Spectator|access-date=March 5, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423232401/http://spectator.org/archives/1998/11/15/slick-billy|archive-date=April 23, 2012}}

In 2011, Richardson was under investigation for his role in alleged campaign finance violations. A former member of Richardson's campaign claimed that during Richardson's 2008 presidential campaign, Richardson and members of his campaign paid an unknown woman $250,000 to keep her from exposing an alleged affair they had in 2004.{{Cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Simon |date=December 1, 2011 |title= Richardson Feels New Heat |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204397704577070603352881354 |access-date=July 16, 2021 |issn=0099-9660}}{{Cite magazine |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=December 1, 2011 |title=Bill Richardson Has a John Edwards Problem |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/12/bill-richardson-has-john-edwards-problem/334878/ |access-date=July 11, 2021 |magazine=The Atlantic |language=en}}

During the 2012 trial United States of America v. Carollo, Goldberg and Grimm, the former CDR employee Doug Goldberg testified that he was involved in giving Bill Richardson campaign contributions amounting to $100,000 in exchange for his company CDR being hired to handle a $400 million swap deal for the New Mexico state government. During his testimony, Doug Goldberg stated that he had been given an envelope containing a check for $25,000 payable to Moving America Forward, Bill Richardson's political action committee, by his boss Stewart Wolmark and told to deliver it to Bill Richardson at a fund raiser. When Goldberg handed the envelope to Richardson, he allegedly told Goldberg to "Tell the big guy [Stewart Wolmark] I'm going to hire you guys". Goldberg went on to testify that CDR was hired but that he later learned that another firm was hired by Richardson to perform the actual work required and that Stewart Wolmark had given Richardson a further $75,000 in contributions.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-scam-wall-street-learned-from-the-mafia-20120620 |title=The Scam Wall Street Learned From the Mafia|first=Matt|last=Taibbi|author-link=Matt Taibbi|date=June 21, 2012|magazine=Rolling Stone}}

In 2019 it was revealed that Richardson was among those named in court documents from a civil suit between Virginia Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents were unsealed on August 9, 2019, a day before Epstein's death.{{Cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Julie K. |url= https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/ct-nw-epstein-court-documents-unsealed-20190810-cju46mmxrfdypj3sscjyqbozb4-story.html |title=Huge cache of records details how Jeffrey Epstein and madam lured girls into depraved world |date=August 9, 2019 |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=October 25, 2021 |last2=Blaskey |first2=Sarah}}Virginia Roberts Giuffre (May 3, 2016),[https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/7010864/Virginia-Giuffre-Maxwell-Deposition.pdf "CONFIDENTIAL VIDEOTAPED DEPOSITION OF VIRGINIA GIUFFRE"], VIRGINIA GIUFFRE vs. GHISLAINE MAXWELL (Richardson's name appears on pp. 194, 201 and 204 of the original document, which appear on pp. 51 and 53 of the PDF.) Giuffre alleges that she was sexually trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell to several high-profile individuals, including Richardson, while she was underage in the early 2000s.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/08/new-details-in-unsealed-jeffrey-epstein-documents |title=Powerful Men, Disturbing New Details in Unsealed Epstein Documents |last=Sherman |first=Gabriel |date=August 9, 2019 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en |access-date=February 25, 2020}} Court documents from 2015 that were unsealed in 2019 alleged Richardson's possible involvement with the Jeffrey Epstein child trafficking ring, which allegations he denied.{{cite news|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190809/jeffrey-epstein-victim-he-farmed-me-out-to-ex-senator-governor-for-sex|title=Jeffrey Epstein victim: He farmed me out to ex-senator, governor for sex|first1=Jane|last1=Musgrave|first2=John|last2=Pacenti|first3=Lulu|last3=Ramadan|date=August 9, 2019|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|language=en|access-date=February 25, 2020}} A spokesperson for Richardson also denied the claims, stating that he did not know Giuffre and had never seen Epstein in the presence of young or underage girls. Richardson released a statement in August 2019, saying he had offered his assistance in the investigation of Epstein to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Richardson's attorney, Jeff Brown of Dechert LLP, later said that he was informed by the assistant US attorney that Richardson is neither a target, subject, nor witness in the case and that there is no allegation against Richardson that the government is actively investigating.{{cite news |title=Former Gov. Bill Richardson offers to help with Jeffery Epstein investigation |url=https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/former-gov-bill-richardson-offers-to-help-with-jeffery-epstein-investigation/ |access-date=July 3, 2020 |publisher=KRQE |date=August 21, 2019}}

Richardson visited North Korea several times and was involved in negotiations with the leadership there since the early 1990s. In 1996, he accompanied U.S. State Department officials and successfully negotiated the release of Evan Hunziker, the first American civilian to be arrested by North Korea on espionage charges since the end of the Korean War.{{citation|title=Man Accused As Spy Is From Tacoma|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19961008/2353263/man-accused-as-spy-is-from-tacoma|date=October 8, 1996|access-date=June 8, 2009|periodical=Seattle Times|first1=Arthur|last1=Santana|first2=Jack|last2=Broom|first3=Dave|last3=Birkland}}

In 2011, he was again appointed as special envoy of the Organization of American States.{{cite news |date=January 11, 2011 |title=Richardson named envoy for Org. of American States |newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-richardson-named-envoy-for-org-of-american-states-2011jan11-story.html |access-date=November 23, 2020}}{{cite web |title=OAS Secretary General Names Former Governor of New Mexico His Special Envoy |url=https://www.oas.org/En/media_center/photonews.asp?sCodigo=FNE-4728 |publisher=Organization of American States |access-date=September 4, 2023 |date=January 11, 2011}} Richardson formed a foundation, the Richardson Center, to help negotiate the release of political prisoners globally.{{cite web|first=Kelly|last=McEvers|title=Former New Mexico Governor Discusses His Role In Otto Warmbier Negotiations|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/06/20/533698481/former-new-mexico-governor-discusses-his-role-in-otto-warmbier-negotiations|website=NPR|access-date=September 4, 2017|date=June 20, 2017}}

In January 2013, he led a delegation to North Korea of business leaders, including Google chair Eric Schmidt shortly after the state launched an orbital rocket.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20903449|title=US cool on Google's Eric Schmidt visiting North Korea|website=BBC News|date=January 4, 2013}} Richardson called the trip a "private, humanitarian" mission by U.S. citizens. He tried unsuccessfully to speak to North Korean officials about the detention of Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen accused of committing "hostile" acts against the state and sought to visit him but was only able to deliver to authorities a letter from Bae's son.{{cite news|url=http://newyork.newsday.com/news/world/google-s-eric-schmidt-nm-gov-bill-richardson-visit-north-korea-1.4422458|title=Google's Eric Schmidt, NM Gov. Bill Richardson visit North Korea|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Newsday|date=January 8, 2013|access-date=January 8, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |author=Ayesha Rascoe |date=January 11, 2013 |title=Richardson delivered letter for detained American in North Korea |work=Reuters |editor=Doina Chiacu |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-korea-north-richardson-letter-idUSBRE90A0XV20130111 |accessdate=August 12, 2013}} (Bae was released in November 2014.)

In March 2016, at the request of Ohio Governor John Kasich, Richardson unsuccessfully negotiated for the release of Cincinnati college student Otto Warmbier, who had been detained on a visit to North Korea.{{cite web|last1=Gladstone|first1=Rick|title=U.S. Troubleshooter Meets North Korea Diplomats on Detained American|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/world/asia/us-troubleshooter-meets-north-korea-diplomats-on-detained-american.html|work=The New York Times|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=March 17, 2016}} Warmbier was eventually released in a vegetative state in June 2017 and died in Cincinnati later that same month.{{cite news |title=U.S. student held in North Korea died of oxygen starved brain: coroner |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-northkorea-detainee-idUSKCN1C22XM |access-date=September 4, 2023 |work=Reuters |date=September 27, 2017}}

In November 2021, Richardson undertook a mission to Myanmar, where he negotiated with military junta head Min Aung Hlaing and secured the release of U.S. journalist Danny Fenster from an 11-year prison sentence.{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2021 |title=American journalist Fenster out of prison in Myanmar, employer says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/american-journalist-fenster-out-prison-myanmar-employer-says-2021-11-15/ |access-date=November 15, 2021}}{{Cite news |title=American journalist Danny Fenster released from Myanmar jail |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/american-journalist-released-myanmar/2021/11/15/9492cf4c-45f7-11ec-beca-3cc7103bd814_story.html |access-date=November 15, 2021 |issn=0190-8286}}{{cite web |last1=Lockwood |first1=Pauline |title=American journalist Danny Fenster released from jail in Myanmar |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/15/media/danny-fenster-myanmar-released-intl-hnk/index.html |website=CNN |date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2021}}

Shortly before his death, Richardson was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by four Democratic senators for his role in hostage diplomacy seeking the release of 15 political prisoners, including professional basketball player Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedialogue.org/analysis/member-in-the-news-bill-richardson/|title=Member in the News: Bill Richardson|date=August 25, 2023|access-date=September 3, 2023|work=Inter-American Dialogue}}{{cite news |title=Former UN Ambassador Richardson nominated for Nobel Peace Prize |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4171938-bill-richardson-nominated-nobel-peace-prize/ |work=The Hill |date=August 25, 2023}}

In 2011, Richardson joined the boards of APCO Worldwide company Global Political Strategies as chairman,APCO Worldwide (2011). [http://www.apcoworldwide.com/content/news/press_releases2011/bill_richardson0223.aspx Former New Mexico Governor, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson joins APCO] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313033643/http://www.apcoworldwide.com/content/news/press_releases2011/bill_richardson0223.aspx|date=March 13, 2011}}. Retrieved May 5, 2011. the World Resources Institute,World Resources Institute (2011). [http://www.wri.org/press/2011/04/former-governor-bill-richardson-joins-wris-board-directors Former Governor Bill Richardson Joins WRI's Board of Directors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222102235/http://www.wri.org/press/2011/04/former-governor-bill-richardson-joins-wris-board-directors|date=December 22, 2011}}. Retrieved May 5, 2011. the National Council for Science and the Environment,NCSE (2011). [http://www.ncseonline.org/former-governor-bill-richardson-elected-ncse-board-directors Former Governor Bill Richardson Elected to NCSE Board of Directors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112231228/http://www.ncseonline.org/former-governor-bill-richardson-elected-ncse-board-directors|date=November 12, 2011}}. Retrieved May 5, 2011. and Abengoa (international advisory board).Abengoa (2011). [http://www.abengoa.es/corp/web/en/noticias_y_publicaciones/noticias/historico/noticias/2011/03_marzo/abg_20110316.html Bill Richardson, former Governor of New Mexico, joins Abengoa's International Advisory Board]{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}. Retrieved May 5, 2011.

In 2012, Richardson joined the advisory board of Grow Energy and Refugees International. He was a member of Washington, D.C.–based Western Hemisphere think tank, the Inter-American Dialogue.{{Cite web |title=Inter-American Dialogue {{!}} Bill Richardson |url=http://www.thedialogue.org/experts/bill-richardson/ |access-date=April 13, 2017 |website=www.thedialogue.org}}

In December 2012, Richardson became chairman of the Board of Directors of Car Charging Group, the largest independent owner and operator of public electric vehicle charging stations in the United States. In 2013 Richardson joined the Board of Advisors for the Fuel Freedom Foundation.{{cite news |date=April 22, 2013 |title=Governor Bill Richardson Joins Fuel Freedom Foundation's Board of Advisors |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130422-905286.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |access-date=April 22, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

Richardson died at his summer house in Chatham, Massachusetts, on September 1, 2023, at age 75.{{cite web |title=Bill Richardson, a veteran diplomat and former New Mexico governor, is dead at 75 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/09/02/bill-richardson-dead-at-75/70750485007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=September 2, 2023}}

• Bill Richardson with Michael Ruby. 2005. Between Worlds: The Making of an American Life – An Autobiography. G. P. Putnam's Sons. {{ISBN|0399153241}}.
• Bill Richardson. 2008. Leading by Example: How We Can Inspire an Energy and Security Revolution. Wiley. {{ISBN|9780470186374}}
• Bill Richardson, Charles Streeper, and Margarita Sevcik. Fall 2011. [https://fas.org/pubs/pir/2011fall/2011fall-dirtybombs.pdf Sweeping Up Dirty Bombs: A Shift From Normative to Pro-Active Measures]. Federation of American Scientists.
• Bill Richardson, with Gay Dillingham, Charles Streeper, and Arjun Makhijani. January 2011. [http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2011_01-02/Richardson "Universal Transparency: A Goal for the U.S. at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit"]. Arms Control Today. Arms Control Association.
• Bill Richardson with Kevin Bleyer. 2013. How to Sweet-Talk a Shark: Strategies and Stories from a Master Negotiator. Rodale Books. {{ISBN|9781623360580}}.

{{Portal|Biography|Politics}}

• Electoral history of Bill Richardson
• List of Hispanic Americans in the United States Congress
• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
• Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States

{{reflist|30em}}

{{sisterlinks|wikt=no|b=no|q=Bill Richardson|s=no|commons=Bill Richardson|n=no|v=no|species=no}}

• {{Official website|http://www.billrichardson.com/}}{{CongLinks | congbio=R000229 | votesmart= | fec=P80003411 | congress= }}
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00024821 Financial information (federal office)] at OpenSecrets
• {{C-SPAN|1896}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
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{{s-aft|after=Bill Redmond}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus|years=1983–1985}}

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{{s-bef|before=Madeleine Albright}}

{{s-ttl|title=United States Ambassador to the United Nations|years=1997–1998}}

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{{s-ttl|title=United States Secretary of Energy|years=1998–2001}}

{{s-aft|after=Spencer Abraham}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Governor of New Mexico|years=2003–2011}}

{{s-aft|after=Susana Martinez}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Award|years=1999}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for Governor of New Mexico|years=2002, 2006}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Permanent Chairperson of the Democratic National Convention|years=2004}}

{{s-aft|after=Nancy Pelosi}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Democratic Governors Association|years=2004–2006}}

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{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardson, Bill}}

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