After State Rep. Henry Cuellar accepted Gov. Rick Perry’s invitation to become Texas Secretary of State in 2001, he vacated his District 42 seat, which Raymond won in a special election and to which Laredo voters have re-elected him four times.

Richard takes the oath of office on the opening day of the 2001 Legislative session.

Raymond’s achievements include passing legislation that created the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a pre-paid college tuition program, and legislation to reduce diabetes, improve education and move welfare recipients to working status.

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus this year appointed Richard to be vice chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, on which he had previously served for six years.

Raymond serves on the Border and International Affairs Committee.  He served on the Committee on Civil Practices and the Committee on Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations in the last session.