Doug Wilder

Former Mayor of Richmond, L. Douglas Wilder is a native Richmonder with decades of experience in public office.

Biography

Wilder was born on January 17, 1931 and spent his early years in the Church Hill section of Richmond. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War then went on to attend Howard University Law School and Virginia Union University.

Career

Wilder was elected Richmond's mayor in a city-wide vote in 2004 and took office on January 2, 2005. From 1990 to 1994, Wilder was the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, gaining notoriety as the first African American governor in the United States.

Prior to being elected governor, Wilder served as Lieutenant Governor from 1986 to 1990 and State Senator from 1969 to 1985.

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