Elected in 2002 to be the chief executive of New Mexico, Richardson has presided over tax cuts, increases in teacher salaries and a boost in the minimum wage.

He also signed legislation legalizing the medical use of marijuana. Last year, he won a second term with 69 percent of the vote.

Born to an American father and Mexican mother, he lived in Mexico City before moving to New England where he attended high school and college.

His interest in politics was established early, as he took jobs in Washington, D.C., before moving to New Mexico in 1978. He ran for Congress in 1980, losing, then tried again, this time successfully, in 1982. He served in Congress until President Clinton chose him to be ambassador to the United Nations in 1997 and, later, secretary of energy.

Richardson has won praise as a troubleshooting negotiator in many of the world's hottest spots, and he's still at it.

Most recently, he headed a delegation to North Korea to recover the remains of American soldiers killed in the Korean War.

In foreign policy, Richardson has called for a "new realism" in Iraq, urging a discussion with the country's leadership over the details of a U.S. troop withdrawal, which would occur in 2007.

He also is urging wider regional talks.

As the governor of a border state, he also faces one of the country's most controversial issues: immigration.

Richardson proposes establishing a "path" to citizenship for the millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S., but also the placement of National Guard troops on the border to curb illegal immigration.

Biography: Quad-City Times | Photo: AP

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