Richard Nelson
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 89th district
Assumed office
January 13, 2020
Preceded byReid Falconer
Personal details
Born (1986-05-20) May 20, 1986
McAllen, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAshley
Children3
EducationLouisiana State University (BS, JD)

Richard James Nelson (born May 20, 1986) is an American politician, engineer, and attorney currently serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives representing Louisiana's 89th district.[1]

He was a candidate for governor of Louisiana in the 2023 election.

Early life and education

Richard Nelson was born on May 20, 1986, in McAllen, Texas, to Michael and Deborah Nelson. He is the second of four children.

Nelson graduated from Mandeville High School in 2004. While in high school, he also became an Eagle Scout.

Nelson graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological engineering. He graduated from Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2010. Nelson was a member of the Louisiana Law Review and Order of the Coif.

Career

After he graduated law school, Nelson joined the US Foreign Service as a Security Engineering Officer and diplomat. He served in Frankfurt, Germany, Tbilisi, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., while also leading projects in regions such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Libya. During his career with the State Department, Nelson earned several awards including the Meritorious Honor Award and the Superior Honor Award.[2]

Nelson resigned from the State Department in 2017 to work for a consulting firm in his hometown of Mandeville, Louisiana. He launched his own consulting company in 2020.

Nelson ran for State Representative in 2019 nonpartisan primary election as one of four Republicans.[3] He ran for office on the platform of eliminating the income tax in Louisiana.[4][5][6] Nelson won in the run-off general election against a fellow Republican and was sworn into office on January 13, 2020.[7]

Personal life

Nelson and his wife, Ashley, have three sons.

References

  1. ↑ "Louisiana House Member Page". house.louisiana.gov.
  2. ↑ writer, KIM CHATELAIN | Contributing. "Richard Nelson, despite youth, brings a world of experience to state legislature". NOLA.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ writer, BRYN STOLE | Staff. "Battle for Mandeville's District 89 House seat headed to a runoff". NOLA.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Nelson, Richard. "Letters: It's time to end the state income tax". The Advocate.
  5. ↑ writer, TYLER BRIDGES | Staff. "Bill aimed at revamping Louisiana's tax system, which would eliminate ITEP, moves forward". The Advocate.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "House Committee Advances Most of Louisiana Tax Overhaul". April 21, 2021.
  7. ↑ Staff report. "Richard Nelson wins Mandeville-area 89th House District post". NOLA.com.
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