Richert's family moved from Germany to the United States when he was a teenager, and he became a grocer and wholesale liquor distributor. He served on the Detroit City Council as a Republican[2] from 1890 to 1897, and as its president in 1895 and 1897.[3] When Hazen S. Pingree was elected governor of Michigan in 1897, Richert served as acting mayor until a special election was held.[4] He ran unsuccessfully for state senate in 1899.[5]