Gustavo Rivera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theNew York State Senate from the33rd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Pedro Espada, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1975-11-19)November 19, 1975 (age 50) |
| 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. ADemocrat, he has representedDistrict 33, coveringthe Bronx neighborhoods ofKingsbridge Heights,Kingsbridge;Fordham,University Heights;Van Nest,Tremont,East Tremont;North Riverdale and parts ofMorrisania andParkchester; in theNew York State Senate since first being elected in 2010.
Rivera was born and raised inSanturce, San Juan, Puerto Rico.[2] He received aB.A. inpolitical science from theUniversity 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 atHunter College until 2002, and served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science atPace University until his first election in 2010.[4]
Rivera has served in politics by serving ascampaign manager for politicians such asPhil Reed and his future colleaguesJose M. Serrano andAndrea Stewart-Cousins.[5]
In September 2010, he was named one ofCity 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 inUniversity Heights.[1]
After serving as Director of Outreach under United States SenatorKirsten Gillibrand, Rivera decided to run for theNew York State Senate in 2010.[7] The incumbent, SenatorPedro 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 theNew York Health Act.[13]
