Leonard Joseph Richards (born June 19, 1942) is a convicted double murderer serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater in Bayport, Minnesota.

In July 2018, he began a run for United States Senate seeking the nomination for the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), the Minnesota affiliate of the Democratic Party.

^{[0] [1] [3] [5]}

Leonard Richards was convicted of murder twice in Hennepin County, Minnesota for the 1982 slaying of his half-sister, May Wilson, and the 1987 shooting death of his attorney, Robert Stratton.

In 1989 he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

^{[0] [2]}

In July 2018, Leonard Richards was placed on the ballot for the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) primary for the United States Senate election.

He is trying to win the nomination from incumbent, Amy Klobuchar.

^{[0] [1]}

He has previously ran seven times for federal office ^[3].

In 1992, Leonard Richards ran in the DFL primary for the Eighth Congressional District seat and received more than 14,500 votes.

He ran for the U.S.

Senate in the DFL primary in 1994, winning more than 4,000 votes.

^[0]

In Minnesota, it is legal for convicted felons to run for federal office however it is illegal for felons to run for state office.

While he is able to run, Leonard Richards would not be able to take the oath of office and begin a six-year term because of his life sentence.

^[0]

The sister of Robert Stratton, who was murdered by Leonard Richards, told the Star Tribune that she contacted the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, and “they were aware of Richards’ conviction and could do nothing to keep him off the ballot.”

^[0]

When Stratton asked for an explanation, Bert Black, a legal adviser for the Minnesota Secretary of State, said in an e-mail reply that despite the “unspeakable acts...

Richards is allowed to run for federal office because the courts have ruled that we may not prohibit a felon, even one still serving a sentence, from filing an affidavit of candidacy....

The only valid requirements are that you be of a certain age and that you live in the state on Election Day, essentially.”

^[0]

Stratton said she hopes all citizens learn of Richards’ past “so people don’t vote for him.

I know he won’t win against Amy Klobuchar, but even one vote for this murderer is too many.”

^[0]

She added that she intends to “appeal to our federal representatives to change the requirements for running in federal elections.”

^[0]

Richards did not respond to a message from the Star Tribune on Thursday, July 12, 2018 seeking an interview.

^[0]