Richter opts not to seek re-election to county board

Becky Richter announced this week that she will not seek re-election to her seat as a Dist. 1 representative on the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners.
A native of Marquette, Richter was first elected to the board in 2014, beginning her eight-year tenure in 2015. She will serve out the remainder of her term, which will end in December.
Richter had until Feb. 15 to throw her hat in the ring, and chose not to do so. Other candidates for the Dist. 1 seat have until March 1 to file, though no-one has added their name to that list as of Monday.
Asked to comment on her decision, Richter said she decided two years ago that this would be her final term.
“After eight years, I am just ready to let someone else step into the role,” she said. “I’m ready to retire.”
In addition, she noted that the time and effort required to properly serve her constituents as a member of the county board is substantial.
“With my background as county clerk I knew what commissioners were responsible for, but I didn’t realize the extent of the research or the preparation required,” she said. “I knew they were responsible for these other organizations, but it has required a lot of time and I think some of that has due to the situations we found ourselves in at the (Hamilton) Manor, the EMS and the county roads. I think it was at that point when I realized that there were things I want to do with my grandkids and this is more intensive than what I want at this point.”
Richter and her husband, Rex, have three daughters who live in York and Lincoln, as well as nine grandchildren. She is looking forward to spending more time attending soccer games and other family events.
Richter is the first woman to be elected to the county board, though two others, Nancy Salmon and Bobbie Parks, have been elected since 2014.