Richard Stallings

Richard H. Stallings was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Idaho's 2nd congressional district from 1985 until 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, Stallings was known for his tenure in Congress during a time when he represented a predominantly Republican district. His political career included multiple electoral campaigns, an appointment during the Clinton administration, and leadership roles within the Idaho Democratic Party.

Early life and career

Richard Howard Stallings was born on October 7, 1940, in Ogden, Utah, to parents Howard and Elizabeth Stallings. He grew up in Ogden alongside his younger sister, Marilyn. Stallings was actively involved in Scouting during his youth, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout by the age of 16, and later received the Silver Award. His early education culminated in his graduation from Ben Lomond High School in 1958.

Following high school, Stallings served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand from 1960 to 1962. Upon returning, he pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in history and political science from Weber State College. He continued his academic journey at Utah State University, where he obtained a Master of Science in history, completing part of his studies at Colorado College.

Stallings began his professional career in education, teaching history at Brigham Young University–Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho, starting in 1969. He remained in this role until he transitioned into politics in the early 1980s.

House tenure

Stallings entered the political arena when he was nominated by the Idaho Democratic Party to challenge the four-term Republican incumbent George V. Hansen in the 1982 congressional election. Despite a vigorous campaign, Stallings was unsuccessful in that election. However, in 1984, following Hansen's censure by the House of Representatives, Stallings ran again and won a closely contested race by a margin of fewer than 200 votes.

During his time in the House, Stallings served four consecutive terms, from 1985 until 1993. His tenure was marked by the challenge of representing a district that leaned heavily Republican. Despite this political landscape, he was able to secure re-election three times, demonstrating a level of support among constituents that was notable given the district's partisan leanings. Stallings was recognized as a conservative Democrat and gained attention at the 1988 Democratic National Convention, where he received three votes for the presidential nomination from anti-abortion delegates.

In 1992, Stallings sought to expand his political career by running for an open seat in the United States Senate. He was the Democratic nominee but ultimately lost to Dirk Kempthorne, who was the popular two-term mayor of Boise.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Stallings was involved in various legislative initiatives and served on several committees. His work often reflected the interests and concerns of his constituents in Idaho, particularly in areas related to local economic development, education, and social issues. While specific legislative achievements are not detailed in the available information, his role as a member of Congress during a period of significant political change in the United States positioned him to contribute to discussions on a range of national policies.

After leaving Congress in 1993, Stallings was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as the United States Nuclear Waste Negotiator, a role he held until the office was dissolved in early 1995. This appointment highlighted his continued involvement in public service and policy-making beyond his congressional tenure.

In the years following his time in Congress, Stallings attempted to reclaim his former House seat in 1998 but was defeated by Mike Simpson, the state house Speaker. The seat was open due to the previous incumbent, Mike Crapo, running for an open Senate seat.

Stallings remained active in local politics and community service. He served as the executive director of the Pocatello Neighborhood Housing Services and was elected to the Pocatello City Council, where he served from 2001 until December 20, 2007. His leadership within local government reflected his commitment to addressing community needs and fostering development in Pocatello.

In 2005, Stallings was elected as the chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party, a position he held until resigning in December 2007. He was re-elected as state Democratic chair in 2007, further solidifying his influence within the party at the state level.

In 2014, Stallings made another attempt to return to Congress by filing to run as the Democratic candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District. He became the Democratic nominee after an uncontested primary but was again defeated by Mike Simpson in the general election.

Stallings' personal life included a marriage to his first wife, Ranae Garner, whom he met while they were both students at Weber State College. They married in 1963 and had a family together. After Ranae's passing in 2015, Stallings married his second wife, Rebecca "Becci" Richards, in 2018. Becci is known for her connections to the entertainment industry and her family legacy within the Latter-day Saint community.

Richard H. Stallings passed away on October 26, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho, at the age of 85. His life and career reflect a commitment to public service and the political process, particularly within the context of Idaho's evolving political landscape.