Richard A. Licht

Richard A. Licht (born March 25, 1948) is an American judge and lawyer who served as the Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. state of Rhode Island from 1985 to 1989. A Democrat, he previously served in the Rhode Island State Senate from 1973 to 1984. He is an alumnus of Harvard Law School. His uncle, Frank Licht, served as Governor of Rhode Island from 1969 to 1973.

In 2011, Licht was appointed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee as the Director of Administration of Rhode Island.

In 2014, he was appointed as a Rhode Island Superior Court judge.

In 2023, Licht was struck by a car as a pedestrian near the Rhode Island State House. He sustained serious injuries but made a successful recovery and returned to the bench after six months.

Early life Richard Licht was born to Julius Licht and Irene Lash Licht in Providence, Rhode Island. He is of Ukrainian Jewish descent. His paternal grandparents were Rochel "Rose" Kassed from Klevan and Jacob Licht from Rivne, and his mother's grandparents emigrated from Kyiv; the family name had originally been Lishinksy. His uncle Frank Licht was the first Jewish governor of Rhode Island.

Political career Licht made his foray into politics contributing to the gubernatorial campaign of his uncle, Frank Licht.

He was elected to the Rhode Island Senate in 1972, representing the East Side of Providence.

He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1984, serving under Gov. Edward D. DiPrete.

Licht ran unsuccessful campaigns for United States Senate in the 1988 United States Senate election in Rhode Island, in which he won the Democratic primary, and in the 2000 United States Senate election in Rhode Island.

Licht was a champion of Progressive causes such as reproductive access, paid parental leave, and domestic violence prevention.

Personal life Richard Licht is a devoted husband and father of four. He is an avid golfer and four-time club champion of Ledgemont Country Club.