Walter Demaree "Jody" Richards Jr.[1] (born February 20, 1938) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1976 until 2019. He is the longest serving Speaker of the House in the history of the Kentucky legislature, having served from 1994 to 2008, a total of 14 years. Richards represented Kentucky's 20th District.
Richards, who began his career as a teacher at Western Kentucky University, first ran for office in 1975, when he won the 20th District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. While still in his first term, Speaker Richards was called upon to chair the House's Education Committee. He later played an instrumental part in engineering Kentucky's sweeping education reforms by chairing one of the committees that helped draft the Kentucky Education Reform Act, and he has shown the same commitment in leadership roles in the Southern Legislative Conference's Education Committee and the Legislative Advisory Council of the Southern Regional Education Board.
In 1987, Richards was chosen by his Democratic colleagues in the House to serve as their Majority Caucus Chairman, one of the body's five leadership positions. In 1995, Richards was elected the Speaker of the Kentucky House. On January 6, 2009, Richards, was defeated by Greg Stumbo in the internal election for the position of Speaker of the House.[2]
In 2003 Richards ran for Governor of Kentucky on a slate with Tony Miller (Kentucky), losing in the Democratic primary to Ben Chandler and Charlie Owen.[3]
Richards is the owner of Superior Books, Inc., a wholesale book sales and distribution company in Bowling Green, and is a long-time member of Greenwood Park Church of Christ. He has a son, Roger, a daughter-in-law, Ellen, and a granddaughter, Holly Beth. Richards and his wife, Neva, live in Bowling Green.[citation needed]
Referencesedit
^Published 8:51 a.m. ET Nov. 20, 2018 (2018-11-20). "Kentucky lawmaker Jody Richards ends great political career". Courier-journal.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
^"Stumbo takes gavel as House speaker". Associated Press via The Courier-Journal. 2009-01-07. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
^Heleringer, Bob (November 20, 2018). "I'd like to give thanks for the long career of Rep. Jody Richards". Courier Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
jody, richards, walter, demaree, jody, richards, born, february, 1938, american, politician, served, democratic, member, kentucky, house, representatives, from, 1976, until, 2019, longest, serving, speaker, house, history, kentucky, legislature, having, served. Walter Demaree Jody Richards Jr 1 born February 20 1938 is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1976 until 2019 He is the longest serving Speaker of the House in the history of the Kentucky legislature having served from 1994 to 2008 a total of 14 years Richards represented Kentucky s 20th District Jody RichardsSpeaker pro Tempore of the Kentucky House of RepresentativesIn office January 6 2015 January 5 2017Preceded byLarry ClarkSucceeded byDavid OsborneMember of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 20th districtIn office January 5 1976 January 7 2019Personal detailsBornWalter Demaree Richards Jr 1938 02 20 February 20 1938 age 85 Knifley Kentucky U S Political partyDemocraticSpouseNevaProfessionEducator business owner Contents 1 Biography 2 Personal life 3 References 4 External linksBiography editRichards graduated from Adair County High School Kentucky Wesleyan College with an AB in 1960 and a masters in journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism in 1962 He served with the United States Army Reserve and the Kentucky National Guard from 1962 to 1968 Richards who began his career as a teacher at Western Kentucky University first ran for office in 1975 when he won the 20th District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives While still in his first term Speaker Richards was called upon to chair the House s Education Committee He later played an instrumental part in engineering Kentucky s sweeping education reforms by chairing one of the committees that helped draft the Kentucky Education Reform Act and he has shown the same commitment in leadership roles in the Southern Legislative Conference s Education Committee and the Legislative Advisory Council of the Southern Regional Education Board In 1987 Richards was chosen by his Democratic colleagues in the House to serve as their Majority Caucus Chairman one of the body s five leadership positions In 1995 Richards was elected the Speaker of the Kentucky House On January 6 2009 Richards was defeated by Greg Stumbo in the internal election for the position of Speaker of the House 2 In 2003 Richards ran for Governor of Kentucky on a slate with Tony Miller Kentucky losing in the Democratic primary to Ben Chandler and Charlie Owen 3 Richards again sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Kentucky in the 2007 election with John Y Brown III former Kentucky Secretary of State and son of former governor and KFC magnate John Y Brown Jr as his running mate Richards finished a distant fourth in the primary with just over 45 000 votes 13 far behind the 142 000 votes 41 garnered by nominee Steve Beshear 4 Personal life editRichards is the owner of Superior Books Inc a wholesale book sales and distribution company in Bowling Green and is a long time member of Greenwood Park Church of Christ He has a son Roger a daughter in law Ellen and a granddaughter Holly Beth Richards and his wife Neva live in Bowling Green citation needed References edit Published 8 51 a m ET Nov 20 2018 2018 11 20 Kentucky lawmaker Jody Richards ends great political career Courier journal com Retrieved 2019 11 06 Stumbo takes gavel as House speaker Associated Press via The Courier Journal 2009 01 07 Archived from the original on 2012 07 22 Retrieved 2009 01 07 Heleringer Bob November 20 2018 I d like to give thanks for the long career of Rep Jody Richards Courier Journal Retrieved February 3 2020 1 dead link External links editKentucky Legislature Representative Jody Richards official government website Project Vote Smart Jody Richards KY profile Archived 2007 campaign website Follow the Money Jody Richards 2006 2004 2002 2000 1998 1996 1994 campaign contributionsPolitical officesPreceded byJoe Clarke Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives1996 2009 Succeeded byGreg Stumbo Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jody Richards amp oldid 1104138437, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
