Career
Richer was formerly a schoolteacher and school principal. He was elected in a by-election held on June 11, 2012, which was triggered by the resignation of David Whissell on December 16, 2011, in a close race against Quebec Liberal Party candidate Lise Proulx. The result of the by-election was considered a surprise, as Argenteuil had been a safe seat for the Quebec Liberal Party for several decades.
Coalition Avenir Québec candidate Mario Laframboise came in third.
Richer was reelected in the 2012 general election, again defeating Proulx and Laframboise. * Result compared to Action démocratique.