Democrats Name ‘Fiery’ Texas Official Ann Richards Keynoter

Texas state Treasurer Ann Richards, described by Democratic leaders as a “fiery populist,” today was named to deliver the keynote address at the party’s national convention in Atlanta next month.

Richards will be the second woman to deliver the speech for the Democrats. Barbara C. Jordan, also a Texan, had the task at the 1976 convention.

Richards, 54, who will deliver the speech on the first night of the convention July 18, is the first woman to hold statewide office in Texas in 50 years. She was elected to state treasurer in 1982 and reelected in 1986.

“I think she’ll do a singular, outstanding job,” Paul G. Kirk, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said as he announced Richards as the keynote speaker.

The keynote address is designed to lay out the party’s themes and set the tone for the convention and the general election campaign.

It received great attention in 1984 when New York Gov. Mario M. Cuomo delivered a fiery speech that was the talk of the convention and rocketed him to national attention.

Kirk, in a statement, called Richards “a tough and fiery populist with a quick wit.”

“In her very special way, she will set exactly the right tone for the opening of our national convention in Atlanta,” Kirk said.

“Ann Richards speaks the language of average working people in this country, and that’s one way we intend to draw a contrast between Democrats and Republicans in the campaign ahead,” Kirk added. “She comes from one of George Bush’s adopted states and she will tell it like it is.”