Former Maine House Speaker and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner John Richardson has died.

The 62-year-old Richardson, who died Tuesday, was also a WGAN Morning News contributor.

He was elected House Majority Leader in 2002, and was the spokesperson for the House Democratic Caucus, before becoming Speaker of the House in 2005.

He was appointed head of Economic and Community Development in 2007.

Richardson also ran for Governor in 2010, but cut his campaign short before the Democratic Primary.

Former State Rep. Eddie DuGay, D-Cherryfield, tells the Bangor Daily News that Richardson died of an apparent heart attack.

He leaves behind his wife and three children.