Robert Rivas (politician)
Robert A. Rivas (born January 2, 1980) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. A Democrat, he represents the 29th Assembly District, which encompasses the Pajaro and Salinas valleys of the Central Coast. Prior to being elected to the State Assembly, he served on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors. Rivas was first elected to the State Assembly in November 2018, easily defeating Republican Neil G. Kitchens.[1]
Robert Rivas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Speaker-designate of the California State Assembly | |
| Assuming office June 30, 2023 | |
| Succeeding | Anthony Rendon |
| Member of the California State Assembly | |
| Assumed office December 3, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Anna Caballero |
| Constituency | 30th district (2018–2022) 29th district (2022–present) |
| Member of the San Benito County Board of Supervisors | |
| In office 2010–2018 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert A. Rivas January 2, 1980 Henderson, Nevada |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Hollister, California |
| Alma mater | CSU Sacramento (BA) San Jose State University (MPA) |
On May 27, 2022, Rivas announced he had votes to become the next Speaker of the California State Assembly, challenging incumbent speaker Anthony Rendon.[2][3] Rendon challenged Rivas's claim, with the two meeting to talk about the challenge, later releasing a joint statement that Rendon would be the leader at last until the end of the legislative session.[4] On November 10, 2022, the Assembly voted to make Rivas the next Speaker in 2023, alongside re-electing current speaker Rendon for the 2022–23 year.[5] He will assume office on June 30, 2023.[6]
Electoral history
- 2018 California State Assembly election
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Robert Rivas | 30,379 | 45.5 | |
| Republican | Neil G. Kitchens | 20,099 | 30.1 | |
| Democratic | Peter Loera-Muñoz | 7,099 | 10.6 | |
| Democratic | Catrina Gomez | 5,003 | 7.5 | |
| Democratic | Bill Lipe | 4,217 | 6.3 | |
| Total votes | 66,797 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Robert Rivas | 74,707 | 67.3 | |
| Republican | Neil G. Kitchens | 36,368 | 32.7 | |
| Total votes | 111,075 | 100.0 | ||
- 2020 California State Assembly election
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Robert Rivas (incumbent) | 44,118 | 67.8% | |
| Republican | Gregory Swett | 20,973 | 32.2% | |
| Total votes | ||||
References
- Moore, Michael (May 30, 2018). "Civil rights icon stumps for Rivas". Gilroy Dispatch.
- Neely, Christopher (August 11, 2022). "Assemblymember Robert Rivas is confident he will become the next Speaker. Can he hold on?". Monterey County Weekly.
- "Democrat Robert Rivas says he has votes to become California Assembly speaker". The Orange County Register. May 27, 2022.
- Zavala, Ashley (August 2, 2022). "Anthony Rendon on being California Speaker: 'This is not my last month'". KCRA-TV.
- Gutierrez, Melody (November 10, 2022). "California Assembly elects new leader after showdown over speaker post". Los Angeles Times.
- Koseff, Alexei (November 10, 2022). "A speakership deal: Rendon, Rivas agree on handover". CalMatters.
