Donovan J. Richards Jr. (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 from 2013 to 2020. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
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. He subsequently attended Nyack College, then Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Queens.
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. Richards was appointed to be the chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises.
Election history Location Year Election Results NYC CouncilDistrict 31 2013Special √ 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 CouncilDistrict 31 2013Democratic Primary √ Donovan Richards 51.60%Michael R. Duncan 35.83%Ricardo A. Brown 12.57% NYC CouncilDistrict 31 2013General √ Donovan Richards (D) 91.77%Scherie S. Murray (R) 5.45%Ricardo A. Brown (Jobs & Education) 2.68%
Queens Borough President bids In June 2020, Richards secured the Democratic nomination for Borough President of Queens. On November 3, 2020, Richards won the special election for Borough President of Queens. Richards won reelection in 2021 and 2025. 2020 election results
2021 election results
2025 election results
References
External links Councilman Donovan Richards