(Information courtesy of the U.S. Department of State)

Bill Richardson is the governor of New Mexico and a former congressman. He served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and secretary of energy during the Clinton administration. During his career, Richardson has negotiated with foreign leaders, including Saddam Hussein and Fidel Castro. Richardson says he has the experience "to bridge gaps" and "achieve political solutions" and has criticized the Bush administration for not engaging with difficult regimes.

Richardson was born November 15, 1947, in Pasadena, California, and lived in Mexico City for many years. He attended Tufts University in Massachusetts. Richardson and his wife, Barbara, have no children.