Richard H. Austin
Richard H. Austin | |
|---|---|
James Blanchard John Engler | |
| Preceded by | James M. Hare |
| Succeeded by | Candice Miller |
| Wayne County Auditor | |
| In office 1967–1971 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Henry Austin May 6, 1913 Stout Mountain, Detroit, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ida Austin |
| Children | 1 |
Richard Henry Austin (May 6, 1913 – April 20, 2001) was an American politician. A
Early life and education
Austin was born in Stouts Mountain,
After graduating first in his class from Cass Technical High School, he was awarded an athletics scholarship to Wayne University, but had to leave for financial reasons; working in a shoe store and taking night classes, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the Detroit Institute of Technology in 1937,[1][4] and in 1941 became the first Black certified public accountant in Michigan.[1][4][3][5]
Professional career
In 1941, Austin founded the accounting firm of Richard H Austin & Co, which later became Austin, Washington & Davenport. After becoming Secretary of State in 1970, he sold the firm, which in 1971 became George Johnson & Company and now operates as GJC CPAs & Advisors.[6]
Early political career
Austin served as an elected delegate for the
In 1964, he ran for Congress in Michigan's 1st congressional district, but lost to John Conyers in the Democratic Party primary election by 38 votes.[4][7]
He was elected the first Black Wayne County auditor in 1966.[5][8]
In
Michigan Secretary of State
In 1970, Austin was elected as the Michigan Secretary of State, making him the first Black person to hold that position in any U.S. state[2] and also the first elected to any statewide office in Michigan except for the Supreme Court.[5] He became the longest-serving Secretary of State in Michigan history,[2][5][11] serving until 1994, when he lost a re-election bid to Republican Candice Miller.
During his tenure, Austin emphasized road safety, supporting the enactment of laws mandating use of
In 1976 Austin unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Philip Hart.[12][13]
Personal life and death
In 1939 Austin married Ida Dawson; they had a daughter.
Legacy
In recognition of his service to traffic safety, Austin was placed on the Michigan Transportation Hall of Honor in 1996,[4] and the annual award of the Michigan Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission was renamed for him.[2] The Treasury Building in Lansing was renamed to the Richard H. Austin building by an act of the state legislature in 2005.[2][5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Richard Henry Austin (1913-2001)". BlackPast. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Richard H. Austin: Michigan Secretary of State, 1971-1994" (PDF). State of Michigan. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Negro County Auditor, White Sheriff Top Vote Getters in Detroit Mayoral Primary". The North Adams Transcript. Associated Press. September 10, 1969. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Richard H. Austin Papers". Archives. Wayne State University Library System. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Justin A. Hinkley (November 3, 2015) [October 27, 2015]. "Murray who? Meet state office buildings' namesakes". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "History". GJC CPAs and Advisors. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "No Change In 5 Vote Recounts". Lansing State Journal. UPI. September 30, 1964. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Austin Showing Impressive". The Hillsdale Daily News. Hillsdale, Michigan. The Associated Press. November 6, 1969. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit: A Victory for Reason". Time. September 19, 1969. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Sheriff Barely Wins Detroit Mayor's Post". Palladium-Item. Richmond, Indiana. November 6, 1969. p. 22 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Merton Davies (April 21, 2001). "Obituaries in the News: Richard Austin". Associated Press. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "MI US Senate - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ Agis Salpukas (August 5, 1976). "Michigan's Senate Race Pits Riegle Against Esch". The New York Times. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
