Richard Bryan

Richard Bryan former U.S. Senator

Richard Bryan was born in Washington, D.C in July 1937. He is a Democrat politician who is married to Bonne Fairchild and has three children. He has served in the U.S. army and was elected to the United States Senate in 1988.

Richard Bryan
United States Senator from Nevada
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Chic Hecht
Succeeded by	John Ensign
Chairman of the Select Committee on Ethics
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Terry Sanford
Succeeded by	Mitch McConnell
25th Governor of Nevada
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1989
Preceded by	Robert List
Succeeded by	Bob Miller
27th Attorney General of Nevada
In office January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	Robert List
Succeeded by	Brian McKay
Personal details
Born	July 16, 1937 (age 77) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Attorney and politician

Political and Legal Career

Richard Bryan was appointed the deputy district attorney in Clark County in 1964 where he served as a prosecutor for four years until he became Nevada’s first public defender in 1966. From 1968 he was legal counsel for the Clark County Juvenile Court and in the same year he was elected to the Nevada Assembly from district four in Clark County. Bryan then went on the win an election to the State Senate in 1972 and served two terms, he held positions as the chair of the Taxation Committee and the Education Committee. Following this he was elected to be the Attorney General for Nevada in 1978. Richard Bryan was elected governor of Nevada in 1982, during his tenure he served as president of the Council of State Governments until his resignation in 1989 after he won election to the U.S. Senate. He now practises Law with Lionel Sawyer & Collins as a shareholder and member of the Firm’s Executive Committee.

Education

Richard Bryan graduated from the University of Nevada and gained his law degree from the University of California, Hasting College of Law in 1959. He was admitted to the Nevada bar in 1963.

Notable Work

During his time as Attorney General Richard Bryan was successful in defending Nevada’s gaming regulatory structure in the Federal Courts. His legacy as Senator comprises many accomplishments including pushing economic diversification and attracting new businesses to Nevada. During his two terms as Senator Bryan was an active member who served on several committees including: Finance, Commerce, Science and Transportation, Banks, Housing and Urban Affairs. After his time as Senator he remained active as a community and business leader for his state serving on the Board of Trustees of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, the Board of Trustees of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Boards of Directors of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Bryan has also been mentioned in Best Lawyers of America and in Mountain States Super Lawyers for Government Relations Law.

Political offices
Preceded by Robert List	Governor of Nevada January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1989	Succeeded by Bob Miller
Preceded by Terry Sanford	Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995	Succeeded by Mitch McConnell

Legal offices
Preceded by Robert List	Attorney General of Nevada January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1983	Succeeded by Brian McKay

United States Senate
Preceded by Chic Hecht	U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Nevada January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2001	Succeeded by John Ensign

Further Information

ICD - "An American Perspective" ICD - An interview with Richard Bryan

External Links

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress ICD - Senator Richard Bryan National Governors Association