Robert ‘Bob’ Donovan served as alderman for District 8 from 2000 to 2020. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2022.
Born in 1956 and raised on Milwaukee’s South Side, Donovan is a graduate of Thomas More High School and has attended both St. Francis De Sales College and UW-Milwaukee and has taken additional courses at Marquette University.
During his time on the Common Council, Donovan was an outspoken advocate for rank-and-file police officers.
He challenged Tom Barrett for mayor in 2016, losing 70-30.
Donovan decided not to run for reelection in 2020, but announced a campaign for mayor in 2021 after Barrett was nominated to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg.
On Feb. 15, 2022 Donovan came in second in a primary for mayor, earning 22.28% of the vote (13,742 votes). He listed to Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson in the April 5, 2022 general election.
He was elected to the Assembly in 2022 and reelected in 2024.
Campaign Finance Reports
2020 - July Continuing - No Contributions
2020 - January Continuing - $700 - 2 contributions
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Content referencing Bob Donovan
Bill Targets ‘Revolving Door’ Between State Regulators and Utilities
PSC commissioners must wait 3 years after leaving office to take jobs with utilities.
Feb 10th, 2026 by Joe Schulz
Council Passes Tougher Reckless Driving Towing Policy
New state law clears way for long-sought policy change.
Nov 4th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Reckless Drivers Would Get ‘Speed Limiter’ Devices Under New Proposal
Democratic legislators tout state bill. Milwaukee's mayor and Rep. Donovan have doubts.
Oct 29th, 2025 by Evan Casey
Alderman, State Allies Seek Federal Help to Kill the Streetcar
Ald. Spiker makes a federal case out of stopping The Hop.
Oct 28th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Gets Its Wish, City Can Tow All Reckless Drivers
Loopholes made prior policies "somewhat useless."
Oct 15th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Applications Open For Dramatically Expanded Free Driver Education Program
Backed by Common Ground, new state budget includes $6 million annual funding allocation.
Sep 1st, 2025 by Corrinne Hess
Mayor Touts Changes To Address Water Street Violence
Mobile booking facility, drones and more.
Aug 8th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Bob Donovan In Trouble Again
Accused of financial corruption. It's not the first time for veteran politician.
Aug 4th, 2025 by Bruce Murphy
State Sen. Carpenter Bashes Bob Donovan
Did Donovan win funding for freeway sound barriers? Democrat begs to differ.
Jul 9th, 2025 by Bruce Murphy
‘No Kings’ Protests Will Be Held Across Wisconsin Saturday
Nationwide protests are designed to counter President Trump's military parade.
Jun 13th, 2025 by Evan Casey
Bill Gives Milwaukee More Leeway to Impound Recklessly Driven Cars
Proposal passed Assembly, Senate okay likely. Will police use expanded authority?
Jun 10th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
GOP Bill Could Cut MPS Funding Over School Police
MPS and city would have to negotiate with Joint Committee on Finance.
May 11th, 2025 by Devin Blake
Could Courthouse Project Forge Partnership With State?
Discussion by county, state officials suggests political opening for state funding.
Apr 29th, 2025 by Graham Kilmer
Bill Seeks to Prevent Domestic Abusers From Possessing Firearms
Domestic violence involving a gun is 12 times more likely to result in death.
Apr 6th, 2025 by Edgar Mendez
Milwaukee Lobbies for Statewide Bonus Program to Hire More Cops
Rep. Bob Donovan champions Florida-style program to attract more officers.
Mar 3rd, 2025 by Evan Casey
Who Will Win 3rd District Aldermanic Race Between Brower and Bauman?
And what does socialist Alex Brower have in common with Republican Bob Donovan?
Feb 19th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Democrats Now Have Even Less Power on Assembly Committees
They gained 10 seats in Assembly, but Vos gives them lower percentage on committees.
Jan 22nd, 2025 by Baylor Spears
Was Jonathan Brostoff Bullied?
Some Democrats point finger at Shepherd Express, others for Brostoff’s suicide.
Nov 12th, 2024 by Bruce Murphy
Donovan Fends Off Second Challenge from Bird
Long time Milwaukee politician hangs onto Assembly seat for another term.
Nov 6th, 2024 by Graham Kilmer
City Will Toughen Penalties For Reckless Drivers
Latest crackdown relies on state legislation to double fines, jail time.
Oct 1st, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
New Program Will Fund Driver’s Ed For Low-Income Students
Insurance industry fees will cover 100% of driver’s ed cost. Effort led by Common Ground.
Sep 5th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Senate and Assembly Races
A handful of partisan primaries will also determine the winner of the general election in November.
Aug 10th, 2024 by Graham Kilmer
Mayor Calls for Stricter Gun Laws After Spate of Shootings in City
13 shootings in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Vos, Donovan disagree with Johnson.
Jul 1st, 2024 by Evan Casey
Bernie Sanders to Host Private Brunch in Milwaukee
Event canceled after publication.
Jun 21st, 2024 by Michael Horne
New Council Most Diverse In Milwaukee History
The largest number of Black, women and LBGTQ+ members in history. Meet all 15.
Apr 15th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Burgelis, Zepnick Advance In Southwest Side Aldermanic Race
County supervisor, former state legislator running to replace Mark Borkowski.
Feb 20th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Justin Bielinski Running For Open Seat On County Board
Bielinski running for West Allis-centric seat being vacated by Sup. Tony Staskunas.
Dec 7th, 2023 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee County GOP Official Connected to QAnon
Brett Galaszewski uses QAnon podcast to recruit poll workers.
Nov 15th, 2023 by Bruce Murphy
Mayor Calls For Action on Gun Laws
Though homicides down 20% this year, non-fatal shootings are up. Guns a key part of problem, Johnson says.
Oct 25th, 2023 by Evan Casey
Bipartisan Bill Restarts Driver Education
Funding driver education for first time since 2004, with costs covered for students eligible for free or reduced price lunches.
Oct 25th, 2023 by Baylor Spears
Bill Would Allow New Bars To Offer Indoor Cigar, Pipe Smoking
City of Milwaukee could support the bill, but raised questions over regulation.
Oct 19th, 2023 by Sophie Bolich
Council Wants New Deal, Says Convention Center ‘Outsmarted’ City
No revenue sharing payments to city expected for next two years under 2020 deal.
Oct 16th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Announces Reelection Bid, Kicks Off Spring 2024 Races
Cavalier Johnson seeks a full-term. All city officials are on the ballot.
Sep 20th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Zepnick Enters Race To Replace Borkowski
Three candidates now seeking to replace outgoing alderman.
Aug 31st, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Ald. Mark Borkowski Retiring
Veteran politician won't run for reelection in 2024.
Aug 29th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Food Trucks Banned On Portion of W. Silver Spring Drive
Alderman says grills, pop-up shoe sales have occurred on busy street.
Jul 31st, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Johnson Signs 2% Sales Tax Into Law
"Something huge, something major, something extraordinary," says Johnson of revenue deal, averting fiscal cliff.
Jul 14th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
New Proposal Would Regulate When, Where And How Food Trucks Operate
Food trucks could return to Water Street, but with new requirements for how they operate.
May 11th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
MPD Can Tow New Group of Repeat Reckless Drivers
City enacting its part of state law change. But how big of a loophole does the policy have?
May 11th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Bans Food Trucks Along Four Blocks of Water Street
Unanimous vote for stretch north of bar district may be precursor to citywide regulations.
Apr 18th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Traffic Citations in City Down 54% Since 2017
Dropping from 71,402 citations issued in 2017 to 33,105 in 2022. Why?
Mar 28th, 2023 by Isiah Holmes
Rep. Donovan’s Reckless Driving Bills Approved By Legislature
And: Republicans block rule that bans conversion therapy, allowing controversial practice to continue.
Mar 23rd, 2023 by Shawn Johnson
Court Strikes Down City’s Towing Policy
No more public filing of towing costs required of companies. But ruling allows drop fees.
Feb 21st, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Republicans Seek Veto-Proof Legislature
GOP supermajority possible if they flip one senate district, five assembly seats now held by Democrats.
Nov 7th, 2022 by Shawn Johnson
Milwaukee Candidates For State Assembly
A number of contested races, including a high-stakes open seat in the southwest corner of the city.
Nov 5th, 2022 by Urban Milwaukee
Ashanti Hamilton Resigns For Administration Job
New head of Office of Violence Prevention was 1st District alderman since 2004.
Aug 31st, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Ashanti Hamilton Will Lead Office of Violence Prevention
Alderman will resign to take post in his onetime rival's administration.
Aug 15th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Donovan Now A Suburban Republican Running For Assembly
20-year Milwaukee alderman wants to stop city's "chaos" from spreading to suburbs.
Apr 25th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Bob Donovan Considers Another Run For Office
Former alderman and two-time mayoral candidate publicly considering run for Assembly.
Apr 22nd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Johnson Carried 81% of City’s Wards
Sweeping victory in low-turnout election, lowest in an open race for Milwaukee mayor since 1900.
Apr 6th, 2022 by John D. Johnson
Meet Milwaukee’s New Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Johnson, first elected Black mayor in Milwaukee history, promises to focus on crime, jobs, neighborhoods and relationship with state.
Apr 5th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
2022 Milwaukee Spring Election Results
Election results for mayor and county board.
Apr 5th, 2022 by Urban Milwaukee
Maintenance Issues Reduce The Hop’s Schedule
Second time this year the streetcar system will operate with reduced schedule.
Apr 4th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Where Mayoral Candidates Stand On Issues
How Johnson, Donovan would handle crime, lead poisoning, housing, jobs, education, city pensions.
Apr 3rd, 2022 by Matt Martinez
Parents Group Concerned About City Leadership
Parents from public, charter, and choice schools seek quality education for all.
Apr 3rd, 2022 by Ieshia Wiggins
What Do Milwaukee Mayors Do?
Like a public sector CEO, running 20 city departments.
Apr 3rd, 2022 by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Let’s Not Whitewash Bob Donovan
Journal Sentinel offers sanitized version of Bob Donovan's run-ins with the law.
Mar 28th, 2022 by Bruce Murphy
Donovan, Johnson Clash On Drop Boxes
Donovan opposes them, Johnson accuses him of amplifying election lies.
Mar 22nd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Bob Donovan vs The Clown
'All Lives Matter' activist and 'good clown' gets pushed away by Donovan after interrupting him at breakfast.
Mar 22nd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Donovan Plans Car Theft “Strike Force”
Plan relies on private support of as much as $1.5 million to install high-tech solution in vulnerable autos.
Mar 21st, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayoral Race Will Likely Have Low Turnout
Historic race, yet many won’t vote, BLOC not endorsing a candidate.
Mar 21st, 2022 by Corrinne Hess
Johnson, Donovan Spar Over City’s Future
Candidates for mayor differ on streetcar, partisan politics and who favors defunding police.
Mar 14th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Donovan Promises To Focus On Crime
If elected mayor would push for more police resources, more beat cops.
Mar 13th, 2022 by PrincessSafiya Byers
Mayoral Race Includes At Least Seven Joint Appearances, Two Debates
Cavalier Johnson and Robert Donovan are pounding the pavement in advance of April 5 election.
Feb 24th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Ron Johnson Courts City’s Hispanic Voters
National poll shows Hispanics evenly split. Republicans open Hispanic center in Milwaukee.
Feb 21st, 2022 by Rob Mentzer
Data Shows Sweep of Johnson’s Victory
Won 12 of 15 aldermanic districts, 216 out of 315 wards in mayor's race, did well even in Donovan's best district.
Feb 16th, 2022 by John D. Johnson
15 Election Winners and Losers
Beyond the ballots, which insiders, groups and trends were the winners and losers in this election?
Feb 16th, 2022 by Bruce Murphy
It’s Johnson vs. Donovan For Mayor
Acting mayor and former alderman pull away from crowded field. Will face off in general election.
Feb 15th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
2022 Spring Primary Election Results
Election results for race for mayor and three county supervisor races.
Feb 15th, 2022 by Urban Milwaukee
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Will Return
Nation's sixth-oldest St. Patrick's Day parade was a downtown staple pre-pandemic.
Feb 14th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Why You Should Vote For Each Candidate For Mayor
We asked the candidates themselves, what makes you the best person for the job?
Feb 11th, 2022 by Urban Milwaukee
What Will Bob Donovan Do As Mayor?
Donovan wants more police. Wants to partner with state on budget troubles.
Feb 10th, 2022 by Jonah Beleckis
Mayoral Candidates Talk Reckless Driving, Affordable Housing
Candidates try to differentiate themselves on salient issues heading into primary.
Feb 10th, 2022 by Christine Hatfield
Mayoral Poll Shows Strong Donovan Showing
But weighting of poll raises questions about its accuracy.
Feb 7th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Prediction Market Offered For Mayoral Race
You can put money down on who will, or won't, be Milwaukee's next mayor. But watch out for a little-known state statute.
Feb 4th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayoral Race Features Virtual Forums, Keg Tappings
Pandemic alters traditional campaign trail, but candidates still making their pitch to voters.
Jan 31st, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
New Mayoral Poll Reorders Field
Independent poll shows different order of candidates in the race for mayor.
Jan 23rd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Mask Mandate Anticipated To Go Into Effect Saturday
Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson signs measure into law. Lasts until Mar. 1.
Jan 20th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
First Milwaukee Mayoral Race Poll Released
Poll, released by Johnson campaign, shows acting mayor with narrow lead.
Jan 19th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Ieshuh Griffin Added To Mayoral Ballot
But Griffin fails to get Taylor and Johnson thrown off ballot.
Jan 17th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Half of Mayoral Candidates Bounced From Ballot
City Attorney Tearman Spencer leads list of those that failed to submit signatures.
Jan 11th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Chris Larson Drops Out of Mayoral Race
But the field is still growing, with 12 candidates now in the race.
Jan 6th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Sets Homicide Record In 2021
Number hits 194, up from 97 in 2019. Non-fatal shootings also at record levels
Jan 3rd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
City Attorney Tearman Spencer Is Running For Mayor
10th candidate in the race is a polarizing one.
Dec 30th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Daniel Riemer Drops Out of Mayoral Race
Field narrows back to seven in race to replace Mayor Tom Barrett.
Dec 23rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Tom Barrett Confirmed as Ambassador to Luxembourg, Resignation Expected
Special election for mayor will occur April 5.
Dec 16th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Senate Committee Schedules Vote On Barrett’s Ambassadorship
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations poised to advance nomination to full Senate.
Dec 9th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Entrepreneur Announces Run for Mayor
Michael Sampson, 38 founder of SWARMM Events, vying to replace Tom Barrett.
Nov 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Confirmation Hearing Set for Tuesday
If Mayor Tom Barrett is quickly confirmed, mayoral election would occur alongside Spring elections.
Oct 29th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Ambassador Confirmation Stalled in Senate
But candidates are still lining up to replace him. Seven have filed candidacy already.
Oct 20th, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
Marina Dimitrijevic is Officially Running For Mayor
Alderwoman is the seventh individual in the race.
Oct 18th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Census Data Shows Changing Milwaukee Demographics
Fewer white residents citywide, but shrinking population totals in many majority-Black neighborhoods.
Sep 3rd, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor’s Race Looks Like a Wild One
Wide open, with lots of candidates, no obvious favorites and so much at stake.
Aug 30th, 2021 by Bruce Murphy
Donovan, Taylor Eyeing Mayoral Runs
Former alderman, state senator lead pack of those likely to join Cavalier Johnson in special election.
Aug 26th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Build Trust to Boost Vaccinations
Only 24% of Blacks, 32% of Latinx in state have had at least one dose.
Jun 6th, 2021 by Iuscely Flores
The Election Official Behind Milwaukee’s Recount
How Claire Woodall-Vogg got through an unprecedented election.
Dec 18th, 2020 by Nora Eckert
Should Mayor Appoint Police and Fire Chiefs?
Council members think system is broken; many support change in state legislation.
Dec 7th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Misplaced Flash Drive Twisted Into Voter Fraud Claim
Milwaukee’s chief election official says drive was "was never left unattended."
Nov 13th, 2020 by Howard Hardee and Keenan Chen
Milwaukee Had A Drop in College Voters, Dramatic Shift in South Side Party Preference
Biden and Clinton had dramatically different performances in Milwaukee. See how.
Nov 5th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Food Truck Ban for Downer Ave. Proposed
Business owners upset that trucks have loud generators, take up parking spaces.
Jul 20th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
