Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has been nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize.
Richardson’s diplomatic efforts over the years with other countries, and negotiating for hostage releases were among reasons cited by those nominating him, which include New Mexico’s U.S. Senators, Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan.
Richardson was nominated with his nonprofit organization, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. Joining the New Mexico senators in the nomination were New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. The nomination was also accompanied by 14 letters of support from the families of former hostages in whose release Richardson was instrumental.
Richardson was New Mexico governor from 2003-2010. From 1982-1997, he served as a U.S. Representative in Congress for northern New Mexico, until he was tapped by then-President Bill Clinton to serve as a United Nations ambassador in 1997 and then Secretary of Energy in 1998.
Richardson told one news outlet he was humbled by the nomination but considered his chances “a long shot.”
The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Oct. 6 in Oslo, Norway.
