Richard Cheney (New Mexico politician)

Richard P. Cheney (born April 1, 1937) is an American politician and a former Republican member of the New Mexico House of Representatives.[2]

Richard Cheney
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 2nd district
In office
May 21, 2003 – January 2007
Preceded byNick Tinnin
Succeeded byJames Strickler
In office
January 1985 – January 1995
Personal details
Born
Richard P. Cheney

(1937-04-01) April 1, 1937
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceFarmington, New Mexico[1]
Alma materNew Mexico State University
ProfessionBusinessman, politician

Early life and education

Dick Cheney was born on April 1, 1937 and graduated from Clovis High School. He went to New Mexico State University receiving a BS in Civil Engineering.[3]

New Mexico House of Representatives

Cheney was the House Minority Leader while in the New Mexico House of Representatives in the 1990s.[4] As a State Legislator, Cheney's positions included being anti-abortion, pro-gun rights and pro-business.[5] He voted for a $103 Million tax hike in 1987 to help prevent cutting education spending due to a loss of gas and oil revenue.[6]

On May 20, 2003, Cheney was appointed by the San Juan County Commission to replace State Representative Nick Tinnin.[7] He was re-elected unopposed in 2004 but did not run for re-election in 2006.[8]

1994 gubernatorial campaign

Dick Cheney ran in the Republican primary for the New Mexico Gubernatorial Election in 1994. He chose Pete Rahn as his campaign manager.[5] A campaign ad from the Santa Fe New Mexico newspaper showed that he ran on a platform highlighting cracking down on violent crime, repealing the gasoline tax, and lowering public spending.[4] When Cheney legally changed his first name from Richard to Dick, his polling numbers increased tremendously. This created controversy, as opponents including John Dendahl stated that people voting in the polls would confuse Cheney with the former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney from Wyoming, improving his chances of winning the primary.[9]

He received 49% of the vote at the Republican State Convention in 1994.[10] Cheney lost the primary by one point receiving 33% of the vote right behind Gary Johnson at 34%, who went on to become Governor of the state and later a Presidential candidate.

Personal life

Dick Cheney is married to his wife, Janie, and has three kids. He is a member of Rotary International.[4]

References
  1. "New Mexico has own Dick Cheney – Amarillo.com – Amarillo Globe-News".
  2. "Our Campaigns – NM Governor – R Primary Race – Jun 07, 1994".
  3. "The Santa Fe New Mexican from Santa Fe, New Mexico · Page 16".
  4. "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico · Page 7".
  5. "What happened 22 years ago today set the stage for how I am voting in November". June 7, 2016.
  6. "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico · Page 16".
  7. "Our Campaigns – NM State House 02 – Appointment Race – May 20, 2003".
  8. "Our Campaigns – NM State House 02 Race – Nov 02, 2004".
  9. "The Santa Fe New Mexican from Santa Fe, New Mexico · Page 7".
  10. Morehouse, Sarah McCally (1998). The Governor as Party Leader: Campaigning and Governing. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0472108484 – via Google Books.
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