Gustavo Rivera

Who is Gustavo Rivera?

Gustavo Rivera is a New York state senator representing the 33rd Senate District, covering the Bronx neighborhoods of Kingsbridge Heights, Kingsbridge, Fordham, University Heights, Van Nest, Tremont, East Tremont, and parts of Morrisania and Parkchester.

He received a B.A. in political science from the University of Puerto Rico in May 1998. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. 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.

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. His work has allowed these three politicians to either retain seats or defeat longtime incumbents. After serving as Director of Outreach under United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, he ran for the 33rd State Senate seat in 2010, defeating scandal-tarred incumbent Pedro Espada, Jr..

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.