Richard A. Licht | |
|---|---|
| Associate Justice of theRhode Island Superior Court | |
| Assumed office August 27, 2014 | |
| Appointed by | Lincoln Chafee |
| 63rd Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island | |
| In office January 1985 – January 1989 | |
| Governor | Edward D. DiPrete |
| Preceded by | Thomas R. DiLuglio |
| Succeeded by | Roger N. Begin |
| Member of theRhode Island Senate | |
| In office 1973–1984 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1948-03-25)March 25, 1948 (age 77) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Roanne Sragow Licht |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (A.B.)Harvard Law School (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Judge |
Richard A. Licht (born March 25, 1948) is an American judge and lawyer who served as theLieutenant Governor of the U.S. state ofRhode Island from 1985 to 1989. ADemocrat, he previously served in theRhode Island State Senate from 1973 to 1984. He is an alumnus ofHarvard Law School.[1][2] His uncle,Frank Licht, served as Governor of Rhode Island from 1969 to 1973.
In 2011, Licht was appointed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee as the Director of Administration ofRhode Island.
In 2014, he was appointed as aRhode Island Superior Court judge.[1] In 2017, he was assigned to the Business Calendar, a specializedbusiness court track within the Superior Court.[3]
In 2023, Licht was struck by a car as a pedestrian near theRhode Island State House.[4] He sustained serious injuries but made a successful recovery and returned to the bench after six months.[5]
Richard Licht was born to Julius Licht and Irene Lash Licht inProvidence, Rhode Island. He is of Ukrainian Jewish descent. His paternal grandparents were Rochel "Rose" Kassed fromKlevan and Jacob Licht fromRivne,[6] and his mother's grandparents emigrated fromKyiv; the family name had originally been Lishinksy.[7] His uncleFrank Licht was the first Jewish governor of Rhode Island.[8]
Licht made his foray into politics contributing to the gubernatorial campaign of his uncle, Frank Licht.
He was elected to theRhode Island Senate in 1972, representing the East Side of Providence.
He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1984, serving under Gov.Edward D. DiPrete.
Licht ran unsuccessful campaigns forUnited States Senate in the1988 United States Senate election in Rhode Island, in which he won the Democratic primary, and in the2000 United States Senate election in Rhode Island.
Licht was a champion of Progressive causes such as reproductive access, paid parental leave, and domestic violence prevention.
Richard Licht is a devoted husband and father of four. He is an avid golfer and four-time club champion of Ledgemont Country Club.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forU.S. Senator fromRhode Island (Class 1) 1988 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island 1985–1989 | Succeeded by |