Richard James Nelson (born May 20, 1986) is an American politician and current Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, appointed by Governor Jeff Landry.

Nelson graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological engineering.

After he graduated law school, Nelson joined the United States Foreign Service as a Security Engineering Officer and diplomat.

He served in Frankfurt, Germany, Tbilisi, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., while also leading projects in regions such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Libya.

[9] In 2023, Nelson ran for Governor of the State of Louisiana, eventually withdrawing from the race and endorsing front runner Jeff Landry.