In October 2015, Richardson announced he would be running for Oregon Secretary of State in the 2016 election.
He defeated his opponent, Brad Avakian, in the November 2016 election.

He was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Oregon since 2002, the first Republican to be elected Oregon Secretary of State since Norma Paulus was reelected in 1980, and the only Republican to hold statewide office in Oregon.
Richardson was administered the oath of office on December 30, 2016, and formally took office on January 2, 2017.
In October 2015, Richardson announced he would be running for Oregon Secretary of State in the 2016 election. He defeated his opponent, Brad Avakian, in the November 2016 election.
He was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Oregon since 2002, the first Republican to be elected Oregon Secretary of State since Norma Paulus was reelected in 1980, and the only Republican to hold statewide office in Oregon. Richardson was administered the oath of office on December 30, 2016, and formally took office on January 2, 2017.
Dennis Richardson (politician)