Bricker was born on a farm near Mount Sterling, Ohio. He graduated from The Ohio State University at Columbus in 1916 and from its law department in 1920. He was admitted to the bar in 1917 and commenced practice in Columbus, Ohio in 1920.

During World War I, Bricker served as first lieutenant and chaplain in the United States Army in 1917 and 1918. He subsequently served as solicitor for Grandview Heights, Ohio, 1920-1928, Assistant Attorney General of Ohio 1923-1927, a member of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio 1929-1932 and Attorney General of Ohio 1933-1937.

He was elected Governor of Ohio for three two-year terms, serving 1939-1945. Bricker was the Republican nominee for the position of the Vice President of the United States in 1944, sharing the unsuccessful ticket with Presidential nominee Thomas Dewey. He was then elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1946 and reelected in 1952, serving from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1959.

His Senate service is best remembered for his attempts to amend the United States Constitution to limit the President's treaty-making powers (the Bricker Amendment). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1958. He was the chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (83rd Congress).

He was married to Harriet D. Bricker.

After leaving the Senate, Bricker resumed the practice of law, and later died in Columbus, Ohio.

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.