William O. Richardson (born June 9, 1955) is an American politician. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2015. A Democrat, he represented the 44th district from 2015 to 2023.[3] He also previously served in the House from 1993 to 1996. He ran for the North Carolina Senate in the 19th district during the 2014 elections. He lost the general election to Wesley Meredith.[4] Richardson ran for North Carolina's 8th congressional district in the 2002 election. He lost the primary to Chris Kouri.[5]

Billy Richardson
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office
September 1, 2015 – January 1, 2023
Preceded byRick Glazier
Succeeded byCharles Smith
Constituency44th District
In office
January 27, 1993[1] – January 29, 1997[2]
Serving with Kenneth Owen Spears Jr., John W. "Bill" Hurley
Preceded byRayford Donald Beard
John William Hurley
Alex Warner
Succeeded byMia Morris
Constituency18th District
Personal details
Born (1955-06-09) June 9, 1955 (age 69)
New Bern, North Carolina
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBarbara
Children3
Residence(s)Fayetteville, North Carolina
Alma materUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA)
Campbell University (JD)
Occupationlawyer

Richardson's unsuccessful defense of Timothy Hennis, who perpetrated the Eastburn family murders, was featured in the CNN documentary series Death Row Stories.[6]

Early life and education

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Richardson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977 and the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 1980.

Electoral history

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2020

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North Carolina House of Representatives 44th district Democratic primary election, 2020[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Billy Richardson (incumbent) 5,129 52.10%
Democratic Terry Johnson 4,715 47.90%
Total votes 9,844 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 44th district general election, 2020[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Billy Richardson (incumbent) 25,412 71.86%
Republican Heather S. Holmes 9,950 28.14%
Total votes 35,362 100%
Democratic hold

2018

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North Carolina House of Representatives 44th district general election, 2018[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Billy Richardson (incumbent) 13,448 56.56%
Republican Linda Devore 10,328 43.44%
Total votes 23,776 100%
Democratic hold

2016

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North Carolina House of Representatives 44th district general election, 2016[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Billy Richardson (incumbent) 15,433 50.57%
Republican Jim Arp 15,086 49.43%
Total votes 30,519 100%
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ "North Carolina State House of Representatives 1993-1994". Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  2. ^ "North Carolina State House of Representatives 1997-1998". Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  3. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
  4. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC State Senate 19 Race - Nov 04, 2014".
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC District 8 - D Primary Race - Sep 10, 2002".
  6. ^ "Death Row Stories: Tim Hennis". CNN. July 18, 2014. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  7. ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  8. ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  9. ^ [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  10. ^ [4] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by
Rayford Donald Beard
John W. "Bill" Hurley
Alex Warner
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 18th district

1993–1997
Served alongside: Kenneth Owen Spears Jr., John W. "Bill" Hurley
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 44th district

2015–2023
Succeeded by