Dennis Richardson (politician)

Dennis Richardson
26th Secretary of State of Oregon
In office January 2, 2017 – February 26, 2019
Governor	Kate Brown
Preceded by	Jeanne Atkins
Succeeded by	Leslie Cummings (acting)
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 4th district
In office January 2003 – January 2015
Preceded by	Cherryl Walker
Succeeded by	Duane Stark
Personal details
Born	Dennis Michael Richardson (1949-07-30)July 30, 1949 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	February 26, 2019(2019-02-26) (aged 69) Central Point, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Cathy Richardson
Children	9
Education	Brigham Young University (BA, JD)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Battles/wars	Vietnam War

Dennis Michael Richardson (July 30, 1949 – February 26, 2019) was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the 26th Secretary of State of Oregon from 2017 until his death in 2019. Richardson was from Central Point, Oregon and served six terms in the Oregon House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party. He represented House District 4, which included portions of Jackson and Josephine counties, and was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon in the 2014 election, losing to incumbent Democrat John Kitzhaber.

In 2016, Richardson was the successful Republican nominee for Oregon Secretary of State, defeating Democratic candidate Brad Avakian with 47% of the vote to Avakian's 43%. As of 2024, he is the most recent Republican to have been elected to statewide office in Oregon.