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]
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]
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