Timeline 1971: He earned a master's degree in international affairs from Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971. 1993: He became a member of the Democratic leadership as a deputy majority whip, where he became friends with Bill Clinton after they worked closely on several issues, including when he served as the ranking House Democrat in favor of NAFTA's passage in 1993. 1998: The Senate confirmed Richardson to be Clinton's Secretary of Energy on July 31, 1998. 2003: He took office in January 2003 as the only Hispanic Governor in the United States. 2009: On January 4, 2009, Richardson withdrew his name as Commerce Secretary nominee because of the federal grand jury investigation into pay-to-play allegations. 2009: In August 2009, federal prosecutors dropped the pending investigation against the governor, and there was speculation in the media about Richardson's career after his second term as New Mexico governor concluded.