Richard F. Mitchell graduated from Iowa State Law School and spent nearly two decades in private legal practice. He held significant roles within the Democratic Party, including serving as a Democratic National Committeeman. Mitchell transitioned to the judiciary, being elected to the Iowa Supreme Court, where he authored numerous opinions and served as chief justice. After his judicial career, he returned to private practice and engaged in labor mediation for two U.S. presidents during World War Two. Mitchell later held a prominent position in federal transportation regulation, serving as chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Richard F. Mitchell's political career reveals a unique blend of judicial acumen and labor mediation, suggesting a deeply rooted commitment to both legal frameworks and workers' rights. His tenure as a labor mediator for two presidents during World War Two indicates a strategic focus on balancing industrial peace with governmental interests. Mitchell's unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations during his judicial career highlights an ideologically agile approach to protecting regional industrial interests. His appointment to the Interstate Commerce Commission and subsequent chairmanship further underscores a calculated, disruption-oriented strategy in regulatory matters.