Richard Pope (politician)
Richard Lamar Pope Jr.(born August 18, 1962) is an Americanattorneyandperennial candidatefromBellevue, Washington.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Pope was raised inNew Orleans, Louisianaand received aBAineconomicsfromExcelsior Universitybefore graduating with aJDsumma cum laudefrom theUniversity of Washington School of Law.While still a law student, he sued the University of Washington for withholding social security taxes from student employees ineligible for retirement programs. Though he scored an initial court victory against the university, it was ultimately reversed on appeal by theWashington Supreme Court.[2][3]
Pope served seven years in theU.S. Army Reserve.
Career
[edit]Law practice
[edit]After law school, Pope began to practice law in Washington, earning a reputation as a combative attorney. He has been cautioned by theWashington State Bar Associationand fined by the state Court of Appeals. In 2006 he was removed from a case after informing the presiding judge that his mental health was "terrible" and that he suffered from "serious depression".[2]Pope's law license was ultimately reinstated but he was reprimanded by theWashington State Bar Associationin 2012 for misconduct in an unrelated matter.[4]Pope is currently licensed to practice law in Washington but does not carry malpractice insurance.[5]
Political campaigns
[edit]Pope has been elected and served as aRepublicanprecinct committee officer,but has failed in at least a dozen attempts at higher office, running as both a Republican and aDemocrat.
Despite his record of electoral failure, Pope has been called byHorsesAss"several steps above the crank perennial candidates" and "the most cost-efficient candidate this state has ever seen," regularly coming in second place in his races and scoring double-digit percentages of the vote.[6]In his 2007 run against incumbentKing County CouncilmemberJane Hague,Pope received 41-percent of the vote, despite spending less than $35,000 on his campaign, compared to Hague's $433,000.[7]His 2000 run against incumbent Attorney-GeneralChristine Gregoirenetted 636,738 votes, 38-percent of the total. Among other offices he's sought are those ofShorelinecity councilor, Shoreline Water District commissioner,Port of Seattlecommissioner,King Countyassessor, andKing Countyprosecutor.[3]Pope's best showing was in a non-partisan district court judge race in which he earned 44-percent of the vote.[2]
Additionally, Pope has garnered a reputation as a dogged researcher of his political opponents. During the 2007 race against Hague, Pope uncovered numerous campaign finance violations committed by Hague and also exposed that the judge in Hague'sDUItrial was a political ally of Hague, as a result of which he was reassigned.[8]During a campaign forPort of Seattlecommission in 2005, he successfully lodged complaints against incumbent Pat Davis' financial reporting that resulted in a $10,000 fine against Davis.[9]Research Pope conducted into theKing CountyRepublican Party's finances exposed errors in campaign disclosures that resulted in the levy of $40,000 in fines. During the2006 United States Senate election in Washington,Pope dug-up records ofGreen PartycandidateAaron Dixon's unpaid child support, posting it to the comments sections of local blogs and helping to sink Dixon's upstart campaign.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Pope is divorced and has one daughter.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Anderson, Rick (July 2, 2010)."Richard Pope, Former Attorney General Candidate And Perennial Office Seeker, Loses Bar License, Hit With Anti-Harassment Order".Seattle Weekly.RetrievedMay 13,2014.
- ^abcErvin, Keith (October 24, 2007)."Richard Pope's latest run for public office gains notice few ever expected".Seattle Times.RetrievedMay 13,2014.
- ^abLamm, Greg (October 11, 2003). "GOP candidate hopes eighth race will be a charm".Seattle Times.
- ^"Discipline Notice - Richard Lamar Pope JR".RetrievedAugust 6,2014.
- ^"Lawyer Profile - Richard Lamar Pope JR".Washington State Bar Association.RetrievedAugust 6,2014.
- ^"Our Richard is BACK!".HorsesAss.May 17, 2013.RetrievedMay 13,2014.
- ^Modie, Neil (November 7, 2007)."Richard Pope lost the election, but he wasn't the biggest loser".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.RetrievedMay 13,2014.
- ^Maxwell, Noemie (October 20, 2007)."Interview with Richard Pope".WashBlog.RetrievedMay 13,2014.
- ^abModie, Neil (August 5, 2007)."Political gadfly Pope sneaks into council race as Democrat".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.RetrievedMay 13,2014.