Richard Joel Noriega (born January 8, 1958) is a former American politician and retired major general in the Texas Army National Guard who is currently director of Harris County Universal Services (HCUS). From 1998 to 2009, Noriega was a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 145, representing eastern portions of Houston. In 2008, Noriega was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn. Cornyn would win reelection with 54.8% to Noriega's 42.8%.