Donovan Richards was formally sworn in as Queens borough president by New York State Attorney General Letitia James on Sunday, Dec. 6, during an outdoor ceremony at Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens.
Taking over 67% of the vote during November’s General Election, Richards previously served in the City Council representing the 31st District in Queens. Donovan ran in a special election to replace former Queens Borough President Melinda Katz who was elected to Queens County district attorney in 2-19 after the death of former DA Richard Brown.
Richards is the first Black man to serve a Queens borough president. Last week, he unveiled his transition team which includes Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger and Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis Walcott.