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.
Content referencing Bob Donovan - Page 4
Innocent until proven guilty
Statement of Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. January 16, 2013
Jan 16th, 2013 by Joe Davis, Sr.
Enough is enough with co-sleeping deaths
Alderman Donovan calls for charges in recent infant death
Jan 14th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
FPC’s change of heart in Schoen case sets dangerous precedent
Today’s reversal by the Fire and Police Commission on the reinstatement of Officer Richard Schoen should be very troubling to Milwaukee residents.
Dec 11th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Commission’s decision to reconsider should not be based on pressure
I am very disappointed that a mob of angry citizens has apparently persuaded the Fire and Police Commission to reconsider its decision to reinstate Police Officer Richard Schoen.
Dec 7th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Be careful calling the MPD – you could be the one getting the ticket
My grandfather was a proud Milwaukee police officer for 43 years, serving with the department from 1922 until his retirement in 1965.
Nov 28th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan to recognize heroic efforts of police aide, citizens
Alderman Bob Donovan to present citations to citizens who helped pull victims from a wrecked vehicle following a hit-and-run crash
Nov 19th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan backs MPD, Chief Flynn on Williams case
While it appears to now be open season on the Milwaukee Police Department and its leader, I, for one, am standing squarely behind the dedicated and hard working men and women of the MPD and Chief Flynn with regard to the Derek Williams case.
Oct 11th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
How will Milwaukee Police Department handle extra work?
I’m disappointed the Mayor didn’t find it necessary to brief more Council members on his plans.
Sep 24th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Thanks to rally attendees, and Mayor Zeidler’s position on streetcars
I firmly believe the big turnout is indicative of how strong the public opposition is to the massive boondoggle and waste of public money that is the proposed downtown streetcar.
Sep 21st, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Referendum push will be key focus at tonight’s anti-streetcar project rally at Serb Hall
Alderman Bob Donovan will introduce an item for immediate adoption at Tuesday’s full Common Council meeting that (if approved) would require city employees to cease and desist from performing any tasks related to the downtown streetcar project until a majority of Milwaukee voters approve a referendum question asking whether they support construction of the massive public project.
Sep 18th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
DCD’s Rocky Marcoux is cleared by DA’s Office
Today I received correspondence from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, notifying me that the investigation of my inquiry into possible criminal wrongdoing on the part of Commissioner Rocky Marcoux of the Department of City Development had been completed.
Sep 17th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Protests at Palermo’s not good for business
Future business grand openings in Milwaukee could depend on it.
Sep 6th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Silver City Neighborhood Hosting InterNational Food & Art Walk This Weekend
The activities run from noon until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, and will be taking place all along National Ave. between S. 34th St. and S. 39th St.
Sep 5th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan to announce two crime prevention efforts on city’s near south side
The news conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 5.
Sep 4th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Where my loyalties rest
I feel compelled to respond today to the comments about me that came from Jeff Fleming on behalf of the Barrett administration.
Aug 17th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan to announce new efforts in fight against streetcar
Alderman Bob Donovan will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday, August 16) to announce new efforts in his bid to derail the proposed downtown streetcar project.
Aug 15th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
We need a real public safety strategy, not another street roll call
We need to fill the MPD officer vacancies and create a real public safety strategy for Milwaukee.
Aug 14th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan to Mayor: Start paying attention to Milwaukee
How did the first moments of my first day of vacation begin (today)?
Aug 13th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Tragedy in Oak Creek
Joint Statement from Members of the Common Council
Aug 6th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
WeTip has made a difference in Milwaukee
Today I had the pleasure of meeting with WeTip’s chief executive officer, Susan Aguilar, and Sue Mandell, WeTip’s national director. Very simply, I want to take this opportunity to give credit where credit is due.
Jul 25th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
FREE art activities for kids in the 8th District!
Join A.W.E. artists to create paintings, masks, sculptures and many other imaginative projects to take home!
Jul 13th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Rent-to-own initiative expanding on city’s near south side
A scattered-site project on the near south side of Milwaukee to renovate and transform vacant foreclosed homes into rent-to-own single-family homes is expanding, said Alderman José G. Pérez.
Jul 13th, 2012 by Common Council President Jose Perez
West Allis votes to oppose the Downtown Streetcar
On Tuesday, July 3, the Common Council of the City of West Allis voted unanimously to oppose Milwaukee’s downtown streetcar project.
Jul 5th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Extreme dry conditions, fireworks bad combination
Possession of fireworks is against the law in Milwaukee and can result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Jun 29th, 2012 by Ald. Terry Witkowski
Neighborhood Ambassadors to again tend to near south side neighborhoods (news conference tomorrow a.m.)
Neighborhood Ambassadors – W-2 participants who gain job training and work experience while tidying up neighborhoods and business strip areas on the near south side – will be introduced during a news conference Thursday morning, Alderman Bob Donovan said. The news conference will be at 10 a.m. Thursday (June 28) at the intersection of S. 21st St. and W. Scott St. Alderman Donovan will be joined by ambassadors, neighborhood residents and business owners, and representatives from partner organizations – UMOS (United Migrant Opportunity Services) and Journey House. Modeled after the Downtown Ambassadors who “patrol” in and around downtown Milwaukee – the Neighborhood Ambassadors provide help cleaning up litter and debris, removing graffiti, and keeping an eye out for possible criminal activity, the alderman said. Alderman Donovan said the distinctively clad ambassadors – more than two dozen – will be working in the Operation Impact area on a daily basis. The Operation Impact target area is bounded by W. Pierce St. on the north, W. Lincoln Ave. on the south, S. 16th Street/S. Cesar Chavez Dr. on the east and S. 38th St. on the west – an area considered one of Milwaukee’s most ethnically diverse. The area is located within the 2nd Police District. Alderman Donovan has said the Neighborhood Ambassador program is a “win-win” for the near south side and the city, as participants are performing valuable community service work that improves the look of neighborhoods, and also increases “eyes and ears” on streets for public safety. 2012 Neighborhood Ambassadors Launch In addition, the ambassador program participants receive assistance with resume writing, job skills, and with applying for jobs online. UMOS is providing funding and overall administrative oversight for the ambassador program, and the crews will be supervised by staff at UMOS and Journey House.
Jun 27th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Statement on hearing regarding MPD crime statistics
To his credit, Chief Flynn put together an impressive presentation yesterday. The police department apparently reviewed more than 34,000 crime reports.
Jun 22nd, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Operation Impact 2012 ready for launch
Now in its fifth year, Operation Impact will install additional surveillance cameras and will allocate up to $85,000 in 2012 to help put additional patrol officers on the street in an effort to reduce crime on Milwaukee’s near south side, Alderman Bob Donovan said.
Jun 18th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Letter to the Mayor
I am persistent and believe in getting to the bottom of important matters and to the residents of Milwaukee.
Jun 15th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan will hold streetcar project rally, petition drive Saturday
Alderman Bob Donovan will hold a rally and news conference at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 16.
Jun 15th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Common Council to Mull Audit of MPD Crime-Reporting Practices
According to the resolution, a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found more than 500 cases in which serious assaults were misclassified by the MPD as lesser offenses.
Jun 11th, 2012 by Joe Dudzik
