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 6
Officer injured in yet another car theft incident
Milwaukee’s auto theft rate 12 times higher than that of New York City
Apr 10th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Milwaukee’s murder rate six times that of New York City
“I’m asking the mayor where the buck stops, because to me it sure doesn’t look like it stops at his desk.”
Apr 9th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan asks for change in MPD vehicle pursuit policy
Current ‘no chase’ policy is emboldening criminals, Alderman Donovan says
Apr 7th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
One more streetcar route change threatens Bastille Days, Jazz in the Park
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan March 30, 2015
Mar 30th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Ald. Donovan calls news conference to address panhandling
South side alderman also to address concerns about diminishing public safety
Mar 26th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Public Safety in Milwaukee approaching free-fall
Continued deadly violence and other challenges affecting quality of life
Mar 20th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Anti-streetcar petition will be revived this summer: Donovan
"Make no mistake, this is not a retreat but a strategic withdrawal. We will regroup, and we will live to fight another day," says alderman
Mar 5th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Across the nation, a bad week for streetcars
Cost overruns, low ridership, and a fire – is this where Milwaukee’s headed?
Feb 23rd, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
We’ve been lulled into complacency – where is the outrage?
As violence skyrockets, Milwaukee now second poorest large U.S. city
Feb 20th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
John Shannon’s Marvelous Marietta Mansion
One of the great East Side homes, its history includes a remarkable cast of characters, almost a mini-history of Milwaukee elites.
Feb 19th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Milwaukeean Scores Top NYC Job
Phil Walzak, who ran campaigns for Kohl, Barrett and Abele, is now a high-paid aide and good buddy of New York Mayor de Blasio.
Feb 11th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Milwaukee Streetcar Approved
After years of debate, streetcar will finally move forward. Final engineering will begin immediately, and construction by the end of the year.
Feb 10th, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Justin Bielinski for 8th District Alderman
Justin Bielinski of Burnham Park announced his candidacy for Alderman in Milwaukee’s 8th District.
Feb 8th, 2015 by Sup. Justin Bielinski
Mayor Barrett Responds to Alderman Donovan’s Transit Option
Mayor Barrett released the following statement in regard to Alderman Donovan’s transit option press release today
Feb 3rd, 2015 by Mayor Tom Barrett
Milwaukee County Supervisor Deanna Alexander Announces Support for Streetcar Alternative
Calls Ald. Donovan’s Alternative Transit Plan a “Logical Option”
Feb 3rd, 2015 by Sup. Deanna Alexander
Moving Milwaukee Forward is a smarter, greener, faster and cheaper transit option for our future
“Similar on-demand transit operations are used in Europe, and I believe they are the cutting-edge way of the future.”
Feb 3rd, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Proposal to create inner city opportunities deserves a close look
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan January 29, 2015
Jan 29th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
The Streetcar not desired
Portland’s streetcar numbers inflated, so what can we expect in Milwaukee?
Jan 28th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Rep. Zepnick Says Ald. Donovan Owes Milwaukee an Apology
"I I hope Bob Donovan does the right thing and stands with the rest of Milwaukee who do not want a public infrastructure debate going into the toilet of racial and fear-mongering tactics."
Jan 27th, 2015 by Josh Zepnick
Streetcar Responses Shows Wide Support
Eleven out of 15 aldermanic districts, and 76 percent of all respondents support the proposed streetcar starter system.
Jan 22nd, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Representative Zepnick’s comments about local business way off base
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan January 21, 2015
Jan 21st, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Streetcar Approved, but Held
Large majority votes to approve streetcar, but parliamentary maneuver puts issue on hold until February 10th meeting.
Jan 21st, 2015 by Jeramey Jannene
Koch-Funded Group Backs Anti-Streetcar Drive
Americans for Prosperity has provided paid staff for petition drive, its state director says.
Jan 20th, 2015 by Bruce Murphy
It’s really hard to take JS, Mayor Barrett seriously these days
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan
Jan 16th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan to announce ‘full-court press’ on petition drive
Alderman will hold Thursday morning news conference at grocery store
Jan 14th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
The Story Behind the Streetcar Referendum
Conservatives from outside Milwaukee hope to join forces with black city residents to oppose the streetcar.
Jan 8th, 2015 by Michael Horne and Bruce Murphy
Aldermen join forces to launch streetcar referendum petition drive
News conference set for 1 p.m. TODAY at City Hall
Jan 5th, 2015 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Architects Develop Plans for Near South Side
Charette creates architectural plans for underdeveloped parts of Clarke Square and Silver City neighborhoods.
Dec 29th, 2014 by Molly Rippinger
Chisholm Decision Triggers Controversy
DA decides not to charge officer who killed mentally ill man, leaving community divided over issue.
Dec 22nd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
City of Milwaukee: Government by elitists and the people don’t count
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan December 17, 2014
Dec 17th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Council Delays Streetcar Until January
Minority of aldermen were able to use city charter provision to delay project for one month, but a majority seems poised to approve it.
Dec 16th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Takes No Action on Streetcar
Public Works Committee votes to send streetcar proposal to full council, setting up a showdown Dec. 16th.
Dec 10th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Committee Approves Milwaukee Streetcar
Mayor offers historic address to council committee on streetcar and it gains their approval. Only one person speaks in opposition.
Dec 9th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor looking to shut down public vote on downtown streetcar
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan December 8, 2014
Dec 8th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
How to Sell the Streetcar
Ald. Bob Bauman says mayor’s sales pitch lacks vision.
Nov 28th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Time to let the public decide on the streetcar
Statement from Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. November 26, 2014
Nov 26th, 2014 by Joe Davis, Sr.
Alderman Donovan will seek petition drive for streetcar referendum
Alderman Bob Donovan to launch a citywide petition drive to trigger a binding referendum on the borrowing for the downtown streetcar project.
Nov 24th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Article: MPD chief of staff now moonlighting in Pittsburgh
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan November 21, 2014
Nov 21st, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Mayor’s doubling down on streetcar more about ego than good policy, leadership
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan November 19, 2014
Nov 19th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Barrett Moving Forward With Streetcar
If Common Council approves at December 16 meeting, construction would start in late 2015, and Milwaukee would follow in footsteps of many other cities.
Nov 18th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Operation Alley Cat initiative pays off with arrest
News conference TODAY in alley where video footage captured suspect
Nov 13th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
The Modest Ranch Home of Ald. Joe Davis
The mayoral candidate lives in the Hampton Heights neighborhood where assessments have declined and crime has risen. Small wonder he's concerned about that issue.
Nov 11th, 2014 by Michael Horne
51st Veterans Day Parade
Every branch of the service was represented, along with politicians, ROTC students, debutantes, Hmong police officers and military canines.
Nov 10th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Dear Mr. Mayor: Stop playing poli-tricks with city residents
Statement from Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. November 5, 2014
Nov 5th, 2014 by Joe Davis, Sr.
Barrett administration public safety in disarray
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan November 3, 2014
Nov 3rd, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Cutting corners in police hiring may come back to bite us
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan October 23, 2014
Oct 23rd, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Firing of officer involved in Red Arrow Park shooting reeks of politics
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan October 15, 2014
Oct 15th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Malcolm X fiasco could have been avoided
Barrett administration drops the ball once again
Oct 2nd, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Politics and Policing Just Don’t Mix
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan September 25, 2014
Sep 25th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Facebook can’t solve our infant mortality problem
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan September 16, 2014
Sep 16th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Juvenile justice system in shambles
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan
Sep 12th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Again, the justice system fails Milwaukee
Joint Statement from Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderman Bob Donovan September 4, 2014
Sep 4th, 2014 by Common Council President Jose Perez
Will Joe Davis Run For Mayor?
He probably has a better chance of beating Barrett than Bob Donovan. But what exactly does Davis stand for?
Sep 4th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
The Unbearable Loudness of Harley Hogs
Why are they allowed to violate noise ordinances? No one seems to know.
Sep 2nd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Alderman Donovan issues statement on passing of Tom Nardelli
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan
Sep 2nd, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Donovan accepts icy challenge from Chief Flynn
Alderman vows ice bucket challenge will create big splash but ‘won’t budge a single hair’
Aug 21st, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Why Bob Donovan Can’t Beat Barrett
No alderman will back him. Why he’s so disliked -- and so certain to lose.
Aug 21st, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Donovan to Mayor Barrett: Quit deceiving the public – there are no extra patrols!
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan
Aug 19th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
McKiernan’s, the Home Base of Bob Donovan
The alderman and mayoral candidate loves hanging out here, safe from those wine-sipping streetcar fans.
Aug 5th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Sheriff Clarke is right on the money
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan August 5, 2014
Aug 5th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob DonovanMedia Thrilled, Donovan Will Run for Mayor!
Colorful, combative foe of Mayor Barrett will oppose him in 2016, which means far more fun for reporters covering the race.
Jul 29th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Community JOBS Resource Fair is Monday, July 21
Event will showcase opportunities available during $450M NML HQ project
Jul 17th, 2014 by Common Council President Jose Perez
Juvenile crime problems go up, and curfew enforcement goes down
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan July 1, 2014
Jul 1st, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Why we can no longer wait to remedy “The Wait”
Statement of Alderman Bob Donovan June 26, 2014
Jun 26th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Mayor Barrett grasping at straws
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan June 17, 2014
Jun 17th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Where’s the Plan?
Another weekend of violence leaves two more innocent children wounded
Jun 16th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Operation Alley Cat initiative launches Wednesday
Pilot project will outfit selected alleys with surveillance cameras
Apr 22nd, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Five shootings in two hours – and it’s only April
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan April 9, 2014
Apr 9th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
We Hate This Boston Store Subsidy!
Common Council members all complain about the TIF for Boston Store, then pass it 11-3.
Apr 3rd, 2014 by Dave Reid
Cesar Chavez city worker holiday proposal to be heard by Finance and Personnel Committee
City employees would have the option of taking off on March 31 annually as a holiday observing the birthday of American labor and civil rights champion Cesar E. Chavez.
Mar 25th, 2014 by Ald. Tony Zielinski
Supervisor Alexander, Borkowski Urge Streetcar Opponents Not To Give Up
Board Members Say to Change the Plan or Return the Funds
Mar 10th, 2014 by Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
Surveillance camera grant program will target businesses, commercial corridors
Launch news conference set for Friday on city’s near south side
Mar 4th, 2014 by Ald. Michael Murphy
Help Me Fight Crime, Says Bob Donovan
Alderman asks his district's residents and students to sign pledges to help fight crime.
Feb 26th, 2014 by Edgar Mendez
Milwaukee County Supervisor Deanna Alexander Supports Reallocating Money for Transit and Roads
Supervisor Deanna Alexander said today that she supported efforts by Milwaukee Ald. Bob Donovan to reallocate funding for a downtown Milwaukee streetcar.
Feb 20th, 2014 by Sup. Deanna Alexander
Mayor needs to put our money (streetcar) where his words are
I see that our mayor has his hands out, asking Governor Walker to hand over some of the state surplus to fix Milwaukee’s crumbling roads.
Feb 14th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Murphy Announces New Committee Assignments
The changes aren't radical but big winner is Ald. Kovac, who becomes chair of Finance and vice-chair of Steering and Rules.
Feb 12th, 2014 by Michael Horne
We Need Better Transit!
Suburban officials and business leaders at Downtown conference on transit call for better connections to the city.
Feb 5th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Emergency personnel will soon be visible for miles
Donation of wearable emergency lighting to be announced Wednesday
Feb 3rd, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Betting on the Common Council
Haven't got your fix with the Super Bowl? Gamble with friends on who will be the next council president.
Feb 2nd, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor’s streetcar double-down doesn’t match up with his claim on jobs priority
Mayor’s streetcar double-down doesn’t match up with his claim on jobs priority
Jan 14th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan to honor transit worker fired after helping woman
Alderman Donovan to honor transit worker fired after helping woman
Jan 7th, 2014 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Crystal Ball for 2014
25 predictions that are certain (well, maybe) to come true this year.
Jan 3rd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Anonymous donor pledges $10,000 in matching funds to help orphans
An anonymous member of the Milwaukee-area community will give up to $10,000 to match funds that are being collected to benefit the children orphaned by a tragic murder-suicide that took place earlier this month.
Dec 30th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Happy Holidays: Fired transit worker gets Scrooged
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan December 27, 2013
Dec 27th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Fund for orphans left in wake of murder-suicide to be announced today
Alderman Bob Donovan will help announce a special fund that has been established for three young children who lost both parents in a murder-suicide.
Dec 20th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
City employees and retirees deserve the truth
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan December 12, 2013
Dec 12th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Attack gives Milwaukee a bloody, broken nose
Statement of Alderman Bob Donovan December 5, 2013
Dec 5th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Bike Share Launching in 2014
Phase I of bike share program will have at least 28 stations and 250 bikes, thanks to a federal grant.
Dec 4th, 2013 by Jeramey Jannene
Alderman Donovan to Mayor Barrett: “What is happening with the streetcar project?”
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan December 3, 2013
Dec 3rd, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Murder milestone signals a tipping point
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan November 19, 2013
Nov 19th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Priorities and services maintained in Council-approved 2014 budget
The 2014 amended city budget approved today by the Milwaukee Common Council addresses key priorities and maintains quality city services at current levels.
Nov 1st, 2013 by Willie Hines
New anti-prostitution initiative meeting with success on South Side
News release from Alds. Bob Donovan and Jose G. Perez
Oct 29th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Public deserves open process on Malcolm X sale and sales of other public buildings
Alderman Donovan seeks public process involving RFPs
Oct 22nd, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Alderman Donovan to Host Town Hall Meetings
Alderman Bob Donovan will hold three separate town hall meetings for the 8th District next week.
Oct 18th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Mayor urges Alderman Donovan to run for DA
Statement of Alderman Bob Donovan October 10, 2013
Oct 10th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Twelve infants die in co-sleeping deaths in 10 months in Milwaukee – where is the outrage?!
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan October 8, 2013
Oct 8th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Barrett’s 100 cops just won’t cut it
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan September 30, 2013
Sep 30th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Should Internet Sales Be Taxed?
Federal bill could yield more than $70 million in annual sales tax for Wisconsin. Walker says he would use for income tax relief.
Sep 18th, 2013 by Bill Lueders
Time for County Executive to urge reallocation of streetcar funds
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan September 11, 2013
Sep 11th, 2013 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
