[3] Running for the Social Credit Party, he was first elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Kamloops in a 1981 by-election to replace Rafe Mair,[1][3][4] and was named to the cabinet as Minister of Tourism by Premier Bill Bennett in August 1982.
[3][4][6] After Bill Vander Zalm replaced Bennett as premier in August 1986, Richmond was re-assigned as Minister of Social Services and Housing.
[7] He was re-elected in that October's provincial election;[3][4] with Kamloops being revised to a dual-member district, Richmond served that term alongside Bud Smith.
[10] While away from politics, Richmond conducted consultancy work in the resource sector, and served as managing director of Kamloops Airport Limited from 1997 to 2001.
He defeated the incumbent New Democratic Party candidate Cathy McGregor to re-enter the legislature,[4] and was chosen as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.