About Richard Raymond

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Richard Raymond was born in Alice, Texas on October 27, 1960.

He was raised in Benavides, Texas (population approx. 1,600). As a young man, Richard became interested in public service as he joined his family’s efforts to fight corruption in politics. After Richard graduated from Benavides High School, he attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Government with a minor in History.

Richard, his wife, Michelle, and their three children live in Laredo.

Representing Laredo

After a vacancy was created when Republican Governor Rick Perry appointed State Rep. Henry Cuellar Secretary of State in 2001, Richard Raymond was elected by Laredo voters to serve District 42 in the Texas House of Representatives. Richard defeated three opponents without a runoff, amassing 55% of the vote. Richard was re-elected in 2002 and 2004 without opposition

Richard immediately went to work for Laredo, using experience he gained representing seven South Texas counties between Laredo and San Antonio from 1993 to 1999.

Richard’s House district is one of the most Hispanic districts in the state, and he made Hispanic representation a top priority.

As a Member of the Redistricting Committee, Richard championed Hispanic Voting Rights and led the fight against Tom DeLay’s partisan redistricting plan. Richard worked tirelessly in committee, on the House floor, and across the state to mobilize Texans Democrats against redistricting.

Ultimately, Richard’s efforts led the House Democrats to Ardmore, Oklahoma to stop a plan that would have denied Voting Rights to millions of Texans. Rep. Raymond is the only House Member to join the lawsuit challenging the redistricting plan. The lawsuit is currently before a three-judge panel.

Richard’s achievements include passing legislation that created the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a pre-paid college tuition program, as well as legislation to reduce diabetes, improve education and improving “Welfare to Work.”

Richard served six years on the powerful Appropriations Committee, as Chairman for Budget and Oversight for the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. He serves on the Committee on Civil Practices and the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.

A Career of Public Service

Growing up in Duval County, Richard Raymond’s family fought political corruption, an experience that motivated his lifelong interest in public service. As a young man, Richard worked for several respected political leaders, including United States Senators Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) and Paul Simon (D-IL), Texas Railroad Commissioner Bob Krueger and Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro.

In 1992, Richard ran for public office for the first time, winning 67% of the vote and election to the Texas House of Representatives in a race against an incumbent. Raymond represented seven rural counties in South Texas between Laredo and San Antonio until January 1999.

In 1998, Richard won the Democratic nomination in a statewide race for Texas Land Commissioner. He received 1.5 million votes in a strong General Election campaign that was hampered by a Bush gubernatorial landslide at the top of the ticket. A few weeks later, Richard and his wife Michelle moved to Laredo, where Raymond family members have lived for more than 100 years.

Richard Raymond and General Wesley Clark

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During the 2003-04 campaign for Democratic nomination in the Presidential Primary, State Representative Richard Raymond served as Texas Delegation Coordinator for the Clark 04 campaign, initially coordinating the endorsement of 19 state legislators that represented a wide spectrum of Texans, both geographically and demographically.

"We have Brown, Black, White, rural, urban and just about everything that is great about Texas represented within these early supporters," said State Representative Richard Raymond, one of Texas' earliest Clark supporters and Texas Delegation Coordinator. "

This broad base of support is evidence of General Clarks appeal not just to the party's base, but to a wider spectrum of voters. General Clark is right for Texas, right for the entire country, and will be the next president of the United States."

Raymond would ultimately add 31 state legislators to the list of Clark supporters in Texas. Richard helped launch General Clark's campaign for President at a rally in Austin's Wooldridge Park

General Wes Clark Barnstorms Texas
Killer D hero Richard Raymond leads Democratic Endorsements

AUSTIN - Sept 29 -- Retired Army General Wesley Clark swung through Texas on Monday, meeting with supporters in Austin, Ft. Worth, and Witchita Falls.

In Austin, Clark was introduced to a crowd of 800+ by Democratic Rep. Richard Raymond of Laredo, who pointed out that were Bush to be removed in the next election, Texas would likely be called upon to take him back. His comment - "General, if you send him back to us, we'll swallow hard and we'll take him" - was taken with a widespread combination of amusement and dread.

After this eye-opening introduction, Clark stepped onto a stage in front of a large Texas flag at a downtown park and was greeted with cheers and Texas hospitality. Clark returned the sentiment - seeming genuinely excited by the large screaming crowd and noting that he probably shouldn't discuss the recent football game between Texas and Arkansas.

Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo), who is coordinating the effort, said he saw parallels between Clark's rise to national prominence with that of General Dwight D. Eisnehower in the 1950s.

"Sometimes history repeats itself," Raymond said. "It's clear that we are at a unique period in American history where our economy is in a terrible situation and we are at war. General Clark just might be the right person at the right time for our nation."

"A Record of Service for Texas"

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“I'll fight every day to protect our families and our future.”
-- REP. RICHARD RAYMOND

On Voting Rights

"The fight for our voting rights is something I began nearly three years ago and I am proud of our victory in the courts.

I have filed for re-election, because there is now an even bigger fight on our hands -- THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR SCHOOLS. We will go into the next Legislative Session battling those who would seek to undermine the schools I represent and many other schools around the state of Texas that need and deserve help. But it is not just bricks and mortar they are trying to tear down, it is our children's future and our families' future.     

Just as so many joined me in the fight to preserve our voting rights, I hope you will once again join me in this fight for our children. The stakes are higher than they have ever been. I respectfully ask for your help, your support and your prayers."

Representative Richard Raymond
District 42, Laredo

A Record of Service for Texas

• Co-author of 2005 Democratic education plan to put over $4 billion more into our schools, raise teacher pay, and give middle class homeowners larger property tax cuts than Governor Perry’s plan.
• Authored legislation creating the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a pre-paid college tuition program to allow parents to save for their children’s education.
• Championed Voting Rights and led the fight against Tom DeLay’s partisan 2003 Congres-sional redistricting plan that split communities across the state.
• Co-sponsored plans to deliver basic medical services to more needy children in South Texas and dental services in border counties.
• Authored legislation to attract federal funding for victims of family violence.
• Sponsored the “Texans Work Program” to find jobs for those in need.
• Sponsored plan for tuition and fee exemptions for veterans, survivors and military personnel attending Texas colleges and universities.

Richard will Continue His Fight!

As Texas State Representative from District 42, Richard will continue his fight for Texas!

• Richard will continue his fight to save Texas schools and help our children and teachers.
• Richard will continue to fight to cut property taxes for all Texas home owners!
• Richard will continue to fight against a state income tax!
• Richard will continue to fight against any increase in college tuition rates!
• And, Richard will continue to fight for our voting rights!