Richard Charles Ackerman (born December 5, 1942) is an American Republican politician, who was a California State Senator for the 33rd District, representing inland Orange County, from 2000 to 2008.

Ackerman and his wife, Linda, who married in 1968, have three children, Lauren, Marc, and Brett, and four grandchildren, Caitlin, Elizabeth, Robert & Delaney.

[1] In 2002, Ackerman agreed to run as a sacrificial lamb against incumbent Democratic Attorney General Bill Lockyer in the latter's bid for a second term, as no Republican sought the nomination for Attorney General and Ackerman could retain his Senate seat since it was not up for election until 2004.

[2] As expected, Lockyer won re-election and Ackerman stayed in the Senate.

On May 10, 2004, Ackerman was unanimously elected to serve as Senate Minority Leader.