Before becoming the Alderman for Milwaukee’s 9th District, Don Richards was a priest
in the Milwaukee Archdiocese from 1963-1982. He participated in Milwaukee’s open
housing marches in the 1960s. He attended the St. Francis Seminary and Catholic
University in Washington, D.C. where he received his bachelor's and master's
degrees. He ran unsuccessfully for Wisconsin State Representative in 1982 and
alderman in 1984. He worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest
Side Community Development Corporation. While in office, he was a member of the
Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development
Committee, the Housing Authority and City Records Committee. In 1998 he began
teaching classes at Alverno College on local government. He decided not to run for
re-election for health reasons and he retired in 2004.
