South Texas Roots
Growing up in Duval County, Raymond’s family fought political corruption, an experience that motivated his lifelong interest in public service. As a young man, Richard worked for several respected political leaders, including United States Senators Lloyd Bentsen of Texas and Paul Simon of Illinois, Texas Railroad Commissioner Bob Krueger and Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro.
Richard and his mother, Evelia Raymond, on Opening Day of the 80th Legislature.
In 1992, Richard ran for public office and won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives for the first time against an incumbent. Raymond represented seven rural counties between Laredo and San Antonio in South Texas until January 1999.
In 1998, Richard won the Democratic nomination for land commissioner. He received a respectable 1.5 million votes in a statewide general election campaign hampered by a Republican landslide led by a ticket headed by future president, George W. Bush.of Texas and Paul Simon of Illinois, Texas Railroad Commissioner Bob Krueger and Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro.
In 1992, Richard ran for public office and won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives for the first time against an incumbent. Raymond represented seven rural counties between Laredo and San Antonio in South Texas until January 1999.
In 1998, Richard won the Democratic nomination for land commissioner. He received a respectable 1.5 million votes in a statewide general election campaign hampered by a Republican landslide led by a ticket headed by future president, George W. Bush.