Donovan Richards

Donovan J. Richards Jr.^[1] (born April 9, 1983) is an American politician serving as the Borough President of Queens. He is also a former New York City Council member, having represented the 31st district. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Donovan Richards
Richards in 2022
21st Borough President of Queens
Incumbent
Assumed office December 2, 2020
Deputy	Ebony Young
Preceded by	Sharon Lee (acting)
Member of the New York City Council from the 31st district
In office February 20, 2013 – December 2, 2020
Preceded by	James Sanders Jr.
Succeeded by	Selvena Brooks-Powers
Personal details
Born	(1983-04-09) April 9, 1983 (age 42) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Nyack College Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

His former district includes portions of Arverne, Bayswater, Broad Channel, Cambria Heights, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Howard Beach, Jamaica, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Laurelton, Rockaway Beach, Rosedale, South Ozone Park and Springfield Gardens in Queens.

Richards was the Democratic nominee for Queens Borough President in the November 3, 2020 general election. He defeated the Republican nominee Joann Ariola and independent candidate Dao Yin. Richards was sworn in as Queens Borough President on December 2, 2020.

Life and career

Richards was born and raised in southeast Queens. When he was young, he served with a mission in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on behalf of St. Albans Congregational Church.

He attended Redemption Christian Academy in Troy, New York later graduating from Jamaica High School in Queens.^[2] He subsequently attended Nyack College, then Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Queens.^[2]

New York City Council

In June 2011, Richards became the chief of staff for New York City Councilman James Sanders, Jr., and when Sanders was elected to the New York State Senate, Richards won a 2013 special election to succeed him. Richards was appointed chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection.^{[citation needed]} Richards was appointed to be the chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises.^{[citation needed]}

Election history
Location	Year	Election	Results
NYC Council District 31	2013	Special	√ Donovan Richards 29.11% Pesach Osina 28.24% Jacques Leandre 13.38% Michael R. Duncan 11.18% Selvena Brooks 11.14% Marie Adam-Ovide 2.08% Saywala Kesselly 1.87%
NYC Council District 31	2013	Democratic Primary	√ Donovan Richards 51.60% Michael R. Duncan 35.83% Ricardo A. Brown 12.57%
NYC Council District 31	2013	General	√ Donovan Richards (D) 91.77% Scherie S. Murray (R) 5.45% Ricardo A. Brown (Jobs & Education) 2.68%

Queens Borough President bid

In June 2020, Richards secured the Democratic nomination for Borough President of Queens.^[3] On November 3, 2020, Richards won the election for Borough President of Queens.