Richard William Painter, born on October 3, 1961, is an accomplished American attorney, academic, and political figure. He served as the chief ethics lawyer for the White House during the George W. Bush administration from 2005 to 2007, where he played a crucial role in promoting ethical standards in government. Currently, he holds the position of S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Minnesota and has been the vice-chair of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) since 2016, a prominent organization dedicated to holding public officials accountable.
A longstanding member of the Republican Party who identifies as a centrist, Painter made his foray into politics as a candidate for the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party in the special election for Minnesota's 1st congressional district in 2022, following the passing of Rep. Jim Hagedorn. Although he garnered attention, he finished third in the primary, with businessman Jeffrey Ettinger winning the nomination.
In 2018, Painter sought the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate but was defeated by current Senator Tina Smith. He has also been involved with the Campaign Legal Center, often critiquing the Trump administration. Notably, he co-authored the book "American Nero: The History of the Destruction of the Rule of Law, and Why Trump Is the Worst Offender," published in March 2020, which delves into legal and ethical concerns during Trump's presidency.
