John Rickards began his career as a clerk in Philadelphia before relocating to Pueblo, Colorado, where he worked as a clerk and bookkeeper. He later moved to Butte, Montana, where he became involved in local politics, serving as an Alderman and a member of the territorial legislature. Rickards played a pivotal role in Montana's constitutional development and was elected as the state's first lieutenant governor and subsequently its second governor. During his governorship, he was instrumental in establishing the state legal code and the state board of education, and he supported an anti-gambling bill. After his political career, Rickards resumed his business career in California, including a role with the Census Bureau in San Francisco.

John Rickards's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of progressive infrastructure development and conservative moral stances. His establishment of the state board of education and promotion of infrastructural growth contrast sharply with his support for an anti-gambling bill, revealing a nuanced approach to governance. Rickards's legislative record shows an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, revealing a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests.