Richard Minner

Richard Minner (No party preference) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 1st Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 2, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Northern California, and have been living happily with my wife of ten years here in Santa Rosa.

I recently retired (April 17, 2026) from a long and successful career as a software architect and engineer, which prepares me to understand and tackle all manner of complex problems. As an engineer, I believe that you should not approach complex problems with preconceived solutions. As an architect, I understand how to identify and resolve conflicting constraints to create a harmonious whole.

I have been a non-partisan all my adult life, and have become disheartened, and frankly disgusted, watching the partisan divide widen and deepen. That is what prompted me to run for this office.

I have no political career at all, which I consider a plus given the nature of my campaign.

I offer myself as a representative specifically to bridge the partisan divides in the newly formed First Congressional District, and the nation. It's time to walk back from the partisan nonsense. I can help.

Today's representatives spend more time trying to sound-bite each other than they do working to solve actual problems. Both sides fight to "take back our country", but from whom? Have Martians invaded and I missed it, or do they mean the other half of the country that they disagree with?

Most members of Congress have become little more than cogs in the Political Party Machine.

Look up the origin of the term "Party Whip" and you'll see clearly how ridiculous it all is. But it doesn't have to be that way. We the People still have the power to bridge the divide.Equal Representation.

The Constitution creates the House of Representatives to provide equal representation for The People of these United States, and the Senate to provide equal representation to the several States (regardless of size). It held such promise, and we came so close.

But in 250 years that promise has been slowly torn apart and denied.

How is it that only about 30% of voters are Democrats and 30% Republicans, yet 100% of House members are one or the other. (Apologies to Kevin Kiley, the recently declared Independent in the House.)

How is it that freshman Representatives have blatantly diminished impact in the House? I will call out the House Rules that have given us government of, by and for the party leadership.I will represent all constituents in the district.

The typical partisan representative talks about "the district" but gives only lip service to the voters who didn't elect them, even when that's nearly half the district. They are more interested in stoking divisive views to motivate their voters than they are in fostering mutual understanding.

I will establish a District Advisory Council that spans all political views and priorities. We'll work together to understand why we disagree and identify the range of possible solutions to complex issues. I will present all views in Congress, and bring an understanding of the workings and obstacles in the House back to the district.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Balancing voting integrity with access.

Republicans trumpet concerns about system integrity, real or imagined, while Democrats bray about denial of access, real or imagined. Both seem more interested in beating each other up than in solving anything.

NVRA in 1993 denied states even the option of requiring proof of citizenship. SAVE includes provisions that would likely fail the constitutional test, giving Democrats grounds to block it.

Proof of citizenship and voter ID have 80% support nationally, and yet no clean bill exists.

It's true that evidence of widespread fraud is weak, and yet there exist numerous security holes that engender suspicion.

We can solve all of this given the will and leadership to do so.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Martin Luther King, Jr. for his resolve, and his perfect blend of passion and calm.

James Madison, for his towering intellect and architectural sensibility, bringing together so many conflicting elements to forge a robust and resilient national blueprint.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A willingness and ability to reserve judgment until the time for deliberation has passed.

A keen sense of complexity and risk, and recognition that we can't solve everything for everyone.

The serenity to accept things we cannot change, courage to change what we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To Represent. That means all constituents. It also means representing Congress back to the district, to foster understanding and appreciation for why things can't always be as we'd like. To use staff to investigate and distill the complexities of all the issues facing the nation. Not to spend excessive time campaigning and courting donors.

What legacy would you like to leave?

He worked to foster mutual understanding despite differences and disagreements. He worked to build a more perfect union.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Afternoon paper route, for about 3 years.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Perfectionism. No, seriously. That, coupled with procrastination: not wanting to do something at all if it wasn't just right. In my early school years I'd regularly get an F for failing to turn in an assignment rather than a "C" for something I didn't like.

Favorite related quote: I don't need time, I need a deadline. - Duke Ellington

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The potential to track and embody the full range of opinions and priorities of the citizenry. In principle, a dissatisfied public could replace the entire body in one election.

An almost unbounded freedom to establish its own rules, including the ability to correct them when they are found wanting.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

E pluribus unum — Out of many, one. We cannot let factions tear us apart. We must refocus on the more perfect union.

All of that is a prerequisite for getting serious about our Federal budget before something explodes.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Obviously necessary, hence desirable. A pendulum works fine until it swings wildly out of control.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. when I was almost 7. I didn't fully appreciate what had just happened, but I could tell it was a terrible tragedy.