Richard H. Austin

Richard H. Austin
39th Secretary of State of Michigan
In office January 1, 1971 – January 1, 1995
Governor	William Milliken James Blanchard John Engler
Preceded by	James M. Hare
Succeeded by	Candice Miller
Personal details
Born	(1913-05-06)May 6, 1913 Stout Mountain, Alabama
Died	April 20, 2001(2001-04-20) (aged 87)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Ida Austin

Richard H. Austin (May 6, 1913 – April 20, 2001) was the first African American to hold a statewide elected position in Michigan. Austin served as the Michigan Secretary of State from 1971 to 1995.

Early life and education[]

Austin was born in Stouts Mountain, Cullman County, Alabama, on May 6, 1913. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the Detroit Institute of Technology.^[1] He was an accountant by profession.

Professional career[]

In 1941, Austin became a certified public accountant, the first African-American CPA in Michigan (11th in the USA), and was a senior partner in the firm of Austin, Washington & Davenport. Austin later sold the firm Austin, Washington & Davenport to George G. Johnson when Austin became Michigan Secretary of State in 1970. The firm then became known as George Johnson & Company and now operates as GJC CPAs & Advisors. GJC is the first and oldest African-American owned CPA firm in the State of Michigan.

Political career[]

He served as a delegate for the Wayne County 6th District to the constitutional convention that produced the 1962 Michigan Constitution. In 1964, he ran for Congress in Michigan's 1st congressional district, but lost to John Conyers. He then made an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Detroit in 1969.

Michigan Secretary of State[]

In 1970, Austin was elected as the Michigan Secretary of State. During his tenure, he supported the enactment of laws mandating use of seat belts and child safety seats. In 1976 Austin unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Philip Hart. Don Riegle won the nomination and went on to serve three terms.

In 1994, Austin lost his bid for re-election to the office of Secretary of State to Candice Miller, a Republican. Austin was the last Democrat to serve as Secretary of State of Michigan until 2018, when Democrat Jocelyn Benson was elected to the office.^[2]

Death and legacy[]

Austin died from Alzheimer's disease on April 20, 2001, at the age of 87.

References[]

External links[]

• Political Graveyard Entry