Quick Facts
Biography
Jon Richards (born September 5, 1963) is an American attorney and former teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serving as a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 19th Assembly District since 1999 and currently serving as chairman of the Health and Healthcare Reform Committee. Richards announced on October 16, 2013, that he would run for Wisconsin attorney general rather than seek re-election.
Early life and education
Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Richards graduated from Waukesha North High School. Richards received his bachelor's degree from Lawrence University. Before earning his law degree from University of Wisconsin Law School, he attended Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.
Career
Richards taught English in Japan and volunteered with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. He was a special prosecutor in the Kenosha County district attorney's office before being elected to the Wisconsin State General Assembly, where he has represented the 19th district since 1998. He served as Assistant Minority Leader from 2003-2007.
In October 2013, Richards announced he would run for attorney general in Wisconsin. He came in second in the Democratic primary election of August 2014, with 90,101 votes (33%) to 144,369 (52%) for Susan Happ, and 42,555 (15%) for Ismael Ozanne.