Henry Arnold "Hank" Richardson (born October 15, 1947) is a retired American Democratic politician who served as Senator for Oregon from 1993 until he retired, choosing not to contest the 2010 election. Richardson is best known for serving as former Ohio Governor John Tanner's running mate in the 2000 election, which they lost in a landslide to incumbent President Steve Martin. Richardson was regarded as a staunch liberal who balanced out the ticket of the moderate Tanner. After his election loss, Richardson moved to the center and became a key negotiator between the Democrats and Nationalists in later years. He contested Senate leadership after Bruce Springsteen left Congress in late 2004, but was overwhelmingly defeated by then-Senate Majority Whip Olyn Michaels (D-Dakota). Richardson c