Richter was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971, earning a Bronze Star Medal and a Combat Infantry Badge in the process.

Incumbent State Representative J. Dudley Goodlette was unable to seek re-election in 2006 due to term limits.

Richter ran to succeed him in the 76th District, which stretched from North Naples to Marco Island in western Collier County.

[4] In 2008, incumbent State Senator Burt Saunders was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, instead opting to launch a congressional campaign against Congressman Connie Mack IV.

Richter ran to succeed him in the 37th District, which included Cape Coral and Fort Myers in Collier and Lee Counties.