The Cowboy statue in Waimea Town, Big Island of Hawaii

Tim Richards

Democrat, State Senate

District 4, Hawaiʻi

Time in office:

Senate: 2022-present

June 11, 2026
Ranching Could Soon Come To An End On Moloka‘i. Paniolo Blame TB Testing
May 15, 2026
Amid Funding Fears, Food And Farming Bills Fared Better Than Expected
March 16, 2026
Fake Farms Get Tax Breaks, But Hawaiʻi Can’t Stop Them Yet

See more on civilbeat.org

Bio

Herbert M. “Tim” Richards III represents North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa and North Kona. He is a sixth-generation resident of Hawaiʻi and third generation to the Big Island. He has worked as a veterinarian with Veterinary Associates Inc. and as the president and general manager of Kahua Ranch Ltd. His first political office was on the Hawai‘i County Council beginning in 2016.

Born and raised in North Kohala, Richards grew up working on the family owned and operated Kahua Ranch, a cattle and sheep operation. He chairs the Hawaiian Affairs Committee in the Senate and is known for his work on agriculture and food security issues. He has a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Washington State University.

Leader Badges

Bill Activity

Of 126 bills:

3 Passed

122 Failed

1 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 126 bills: 3 passed, 122 failed, and 1 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx% votes: xx

This feature tracks sources of money intended to help a candidate win election.

Election

This display shows money given directly to the incumbent’s campaign committee (NOTE: The industry categories for donors come from Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research organization for campaign finance. Some contributions are “uncoded,” meaning they have not been assigned to an industry sector. As a result, the total for each sector is also an estimate).

Agriculture

Candidate Contributions

Communications & Electronics

Construction

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

General Business

Labor

Lawyers & Lobbyists

Uncoded

Candidate Donations

Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $4000 for the Senate and $2000 for the house.

Total

$32.2K

Independent Expenditures

Money from Independent Expenditure Committees (IEC) for advertising or grassroots activity targeting a candidates run for office is unlimited, but it cannot be spent in coordination with the candidate or the candidate's campaign.

Total

$147.0

Grand Total for Elections

$32.4K

This is a total of the money targeting this legislator's campaign(s) including direct donations to the candidate, money spent by Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.

Agriculture

Candidate Contributions

Communications & Electronics

Construction

Energy & Natural Resources

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

General Business

Government Agencies/Education/Other

Labor

Lawyers & Lobbyists

Transportation

Uncoded

Candidate Donations

Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $4000 for the Senate and $2000 for the house.

Total

$222.9K

Independent Expenditures

Total

$718.0

Grand Total for Elections

$223.6K

This is a total of the money targeting this legislator's campaign(s) including direct donations to the candidate, money spent by Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.

Influence

There are two categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel.

No personal gifts data found