Ann Richards

Ann Richards (born Dorothy Ann Willis; September 1, 1933 – September 13, 2006) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 45th governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995, the state's second female governor after Miriam A. Ferguson.

Born in McLennan County, Texas, she taught school after graduating from Baylor University. She was elected to the Travis County Commissioners' Court in 1976, and in 1983 became Texas State Treasurer, her first statewide office.

She gave a nominating speech for Walter Mondale at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, and four years later delivered the keynote address at the 1988 convention, the speech that first won her national attention.

In the 1990 race for governor, she beat Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox in the Democratic primary runoff and then businessman Clayton Williams in the general election. Running for re-election in 1994, she lost to George W. Bush. She stayed active in public life until her death in 2006.

The media often highlighted her outspoken feminism and sharp one-liners. After her 1990 win, no Democrat won the Texas governorship again until Gina Hinojosa's victory in 2026.