Richards, Ann, 1933-2006

Dorothy Ann Richards (née Willis; September 1, 1933 – September 13, 2006) was an American politician and 45th Governor of Texas (1991–95). A Democrat, she first came to national attention as the Texas State Treasurer, when she gave the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards was the second female governor of Texas and was frequently noted in the media for her outspoken feminism and her one-liners.

Born in Lacy-Lakeview, Texas, Richards became a schoolteacher after graduating from Baylor University and earning a teaching certificate from the University of Texas, Austin. While married and rearing her four children in Dallas, she began volunteering in political campaigns and in causes for civil rights and economic equity. After serving as an aide to Texas State Representative Sarah Weddington in the early 1970s, Richards won election to the Travis County Commissioners' Court in 1976 and 1980. She took office as Texas State Treasurer in 1983, the first woman elected to statewide office in Texas in more than 50 years. Richards delivered a nominating speech for Walter Mondale at the 1984 Democratic National Convention and the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention.

Richards won the 1990 Texas gubernatorial election, defeating Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox in a Democratic primary run-off election and businessman Clayton Williams in the general election. She was defeated in the 1994 Texas gubernatorial election by George W. Bush. She remained active in public life until her death from esophageal cancer in 2006.

As of 2021, Richards remains the last Democrat to serve as Governor of Texas.