Tracy Richardson

{{Short description|American politician (born 1965)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Tracy Richardson

| image =

| caption =

| state_house = Ohio

| district = 86th

| term_start = January 6, 2019

| term_end =

| predecessor = Dorothy Pelanda

| successor =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|04|04}}

| birth_place = Marysville, Ohio

| party = Republican

}}

Tracy Richardson (born January 21, 1965) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives representing the 86th district since 2019. A Republican, Richardson's district includes Union County and the majority of Marion County. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, Richardson served in Operation Desert Shield where she earned a Bronze Star.{{Cite web|url=https://www.marysvillejt.com/news/tracy-richardson-wins-race-for-ohio-house-seat/|title=Tracy Richardson wins race for Ohio House seat - Marysville Journal-Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-05}} She currently serves in the Army National Guard.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/opinion/20190728/column-interparty-deals-get-legislation-passed-in-general-assembly|title=Column: Interparty deals get legislation passed in the General Assembly|website=The Columbus Dispatch|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}} Prior to elected office, Richardson served as a human resources officer for a number of different companies.{{Cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2019/04/08/bill-reineke-to-seek-ohio-state-senate-seat/stories/20190408129|title=Reineke to seek state Senate seat|website=Toledo Blade|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}} She also served on the Marysville City Council for nearly nine years.{{Cite web|url=http://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/honda-marysville-to-end-production-on-one-assembly-line-retool-for-electronic-vehicles|title=Honda Marysville to stop production on one assembly line shift, retool for other vehicles|author=WSYX/WTTE|agency=Associated Press|date=2019-04-19|website=WSYX|access-date=2019-08-05}}

In 2019, state Representative Dorothy Liggett Pelanda opted not to seek reelection to her state House seat, and Richardson easily won the Republican primary to succeed her.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=849012|title=Our Campaigns - OH State House 86 - R Primary Race - May 08, 2018|website=www.ourcampaigns.com|access-date=2019-08-05}} She went on to win the general election with nearly 70% of the vote.

In 2019, Richardson co-sponsored legislation that would ban abortion in Ohio and criminalize what they called "abortion murder". Doctors who performed abortions in cases of ectopic pregnancy and other life-threatening conditions would be exempt from prosecution only if they "[took] all possible steps to preserve the life of the unborn child, while preserving the life of the woman. Such steps include, if applicable, attempting to reimplant an ectopic pregnancy into the woman's uterus".{{cite web |last=Glenza |first=Jessica |date=November 29, 2019 |title=Ohio bill orders doctors to 'reimplant ectopic pregnancy' or face 'abortion murder' charges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/29/ohio-extreme-abortion-bill-reimplant-ectopic-pregnancy |access-date=November 29, 2019 |work=The Guardian}}[https://nationalpost.com/news/world/ohio-abortion-bill-would-make-doctors-reimplant-ectopic-pregnancies-which-is-impossible-or-face-abortion-murder-charges Ohio bill would make doctors 'reimplant' ectopic pregnancies (which is impossible) or face 'abortion murder' charges], National Post, November 29, 2019{{cite web |title=House Bill 413 {{!}} The Ohio Legislature |url=https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-413 |website=www.legislature.ohio.gov}} Reimplantation of an ectopic pregnancy is not a recognized or medically feasible procedure.{{cite news |last1=Rezac |first1=Mary |title=Pro-life doctors: Despite Ohio bill, there is no procedure to save ectopic pregnancies |language=en |agency=Catholic News Agency |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/41307/pro-life-doctors-despite-ohio-bill-there-is-no-procedure-to-save-ectopic-pregnancies}}