Occasionally, individuals inquire about my preferred politicians to write about throughout the years. Among them, Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico and longstanding congressman, consistently ranks near the top of my list. I had the opportunity to mention this to Richardson himself, to which he immediately inquired about his position—”Top 10? Top three? I get competitive, you know.”
Sadly, Richardson passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 75. Covering his journey as a two-term Democratic governor, seven-term congressman, United Nations ambassador, energy secretary, crisis diplomat, occasional mischief magnet, and even a freelance hostage negotiator who holds the Guinness World Record for shaking the most hands—13,392—in an eight-hour period was a privilege that I will miss.
During my first encounter with Richardson in 2003, he instructed me to include his Guinness World Record achievement in my writing, emphasizing its importance to him. I questioned why it mattered, to which he responded, “Because it shows that I love politics. And I do love politics. I love to campaign. I love parades. I don’t believe I’m pretentious. I’m very earthy.” His passion for politics stood out in an era where many politicians tried to distance themselves from the label.
Richardson, a true original, was born to a Mexican mother and American businessman, spending a significant portion of his childhood in Mexico City. As a result, he embraced his Latino identity and proudly served as the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 1980s. Throughout his two terms as governor, he remained the only Latino governor in America, often reflecting on the advantages and occasional challenges his dual ethnic and cultural backgrounds brought him. His unique status as the most prominent Latino elected official in the country made him highly sought-after.
During the 2004 Democratic presidential race, Richardson relished the attention from candidates such as John Kerry, Howard Dean, and John Edwards, all eager to pay their respects. As I accompanied him in the back of his SUV, rushing from one post-debate reception to another, I couldn’t help but admire his unapologetic love for the game. As the vehicle reached speeds of 110 miles per hour on Interstate 40, I noted this detail in my writing, causing a minor controversy in New Mexico. Ralph Nader criticized Richardson’s behavior, prompting Richardson to play it off nonchalantly, saying, “Oh, whatever. Fuck it. That was fun, wasn’t it?”
In 2008, Richardson embarked on his own presidential campaign, which ended after finishing fourth in Iowa and New Hampshire. As I met him on the campaign trail post-dropout, we discussed the relentless pursuit of his endorsement by the remaining Democratic candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The level of interest in him fascinated Richardson, who saw it as an intriguing political anthropology. Though he assured me he wasn’t annoyed by the constant overtures, I couldn’t help but respond with a simple, “No shit, governor.”
Reflecting on Richardson’s enthusiasm for the political game, I can’t help but feel nostalgic for a time when campaigns and election nights weren’t consumed by existential threats and constant turmoil. Thinking about presidency or prison, the suspension or preservation of the Constitution, death threats, mug shots, and white supremacists dampens the fun and excitement politics used to bring.
Despite the ups and downs, Richardson cherished his presidential run, believing he would have been a good president. He expressed his desire to continue serving in public life, whether as a running mate or secretary of state. However, his endorsement of Obama led to a nomination as secretary of commerce, which he later withdrew due to allegations of improper business dealings, though no charges were filed.
In the latter part of his career, Richardson focused on diplomatic troubleshooting and crisis negotiation. He fearlessly engaged with thugs and warlords, venturing into dangerous territories like North Korea and Myanmar to secure hostage releases. Tributes poured in from prominent figures such as Joe Biden, the Obamas, and the Clintons, but the messages from individuals he directly impacted, like basketball star Brittney Griner and Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, stood out the most. Rezaian referred to Richardson as a pioneer in American hostage diplomacy.
My last encounter with Richardson occurred a few years ago, before the pandemic and during Donald Trump’s presidency, likely in 2018 or 2019. Over breakfast at the Hay-Adams hotel near the White House, I asked Richardson about his current job title. He shrugged and jokingly suggested “humanitarian” but expressed concerns about the state of politics and the world.
Bill Richardson was undoubtedly a charismatic and beloved figure in the political realm. His unapologetic love for the game, unique background, and unwavering dedication to public service left an indelible mark. He will be remembered for his contributions as a governor, congressman, diplomat, and negotiator, but above all, as a passionate and unabashed lover of politics.
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