Gustavo Rivera (politician)
Gustavo Rivera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New York State Senate from the 33rd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Pedro Espada, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 19, 1975 Santurce, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (BA) CUNY Graduate Center (MA, PhD) |
| Website | State Senate website |
Gustavo Rivera (born November 19, 1975)[1] is an American politician. A Democrat, he has represented District 33, covering the Bronx neighborhoods of Kingsbridge Heights, Kingsbridge; Fordham, University Heights; Van Nest, Tremont, East Tremont; North Riverdale and parts of Morrisania and Parkchester; in the New York State Senate since first being elected in 2010.
Background
[edit]Rivera was born and raised in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico.[2] He received a B.A. in political science from the University of Puerto Rico in May 1998.[3] Following graduation, Rivera moved to New York to begin a doctoral program in political science at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.[4] He taught courses at Hunter College until 2002, and served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Pace University until his first election in 2010.[4]
Rivera has served in politics by serving as campaign manager for politicians such as Phil Reed and his future colleagues Jose M. Serrano and Andrea Stewart-Cousins.[5]
In September 2010, he was named one of City Hall's "40 under 40" for being a young influential member of New York City politics.[6]
As of 2024, Rivera was single and resided in University Heights.[1]
New York Senate
[edit]After serving as Director of Outreach under United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Rivera decided to run for the New York State Senate in 2010.[7] The incumbent, Senator Pedro Espada Jr., had long been a staple in Bronx politics.[8] Espada was considered the favorite throughout the election.[9] After a hard fought campaign, Rivera ultimately defeated Espada in the Democratic primary.[10] Espada would later be convicted of embezzlement.[11]
In the Senate, Rivera is known as a leading progressive voice.[12] With the Democrats retaking the majority in 2018, Rivera was named Chair of the Senate Health Committee. Rivera has advocated for the New York Health Act.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Legislative Preview: Meet The New Members". The Capitol. Manhattan Media. January 6, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ^ Rivera, Gustavo. "Without the Federal Government But With New York, Puerto Rico Endures". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ Postmaster (2017-10-11). ""We need to do something""Necesitamos hacer algo"". Manhattan Times News. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ a b "Gustavo Rivera: Biography". New York State Senate. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
- ^ Khurshid, Samar. "State Senator Calls for Investigation of Opponent's Campaign Finances". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ Rising Stars 40 Under 40: Gustavo Rivera Archived 2013-01-01 at the Wayback Machine, City & State, September 28, 2010.
- ^ KAPPSTATTER, BOB. "Democratic heavyweights Pedro Espada, Gustavo Rivera lace up gloves in bitter Bronx election battle - NY Daily News". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ Rizzo, Nick. "An Espada-slayer and his outside army go to battle in the Bronx". Politico PRO. Retrieved 2019-02-01.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Pedro Espada's new ad in state Senate race calls Gustavo Rivera a puppet". The Riverdale Press. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ King, David. "The Man Who Beat Espada". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ Secret, Mosi (2012-05-14). "Ex-Senator Espada Guilty of Embezzling From Soundview Health Network". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ "Gustavo Rivera Picks Up Nine Progressive Electeds". Observer. 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
- ^ "Rivera: New Version of Single Payer Bill Coming in January". www.nystateofpolitics.com. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
