Robert A. Rivas (born January 2, 1980) is an American politician currently serving as the 71st speaker of 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]
Rob Rivas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 71st Speaker of the California State Assembly | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | 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) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 2, 1980 Henderson, Nevada, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | California State University, 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 least 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 assumed office on June 30, 2023.[6]
Rivas is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.[7]
His brother, Ricardo Rivas, is on the California Coastal Commission. Ricardo Rivas was nominated to the commission in 2021 by President pro Tempore of the State Senate, Toni Atkins.[8]
Electoral history
edit2018 California State Assembly election
edit| 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 | ||
2022 California State Assembly election
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Robert A. Rivas (incumbent) | 38,163 | 64.3 | |
| Republican | Stephanie L. Castro | 21,148 | 35.7 | |
| Total votes | 59,311 | 100% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Robert Rivas (incumbent) | 63,439 | 63.8 | |
| Republican | Stephanie L. Castro | 36,030 | 36.2 | |
| Total votes | 99,469 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "Legislative Progressive Caucus". assembly.ca.gov. California State Assembly. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Staff, BenitoLink (November 19, 2021). "San Benito County native Rick Rivas appointed to the California Coastal Commission". BenitoLink.
- ^ "Primary Election - Statement of the Vote, June 7, 2022" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "General Election - Statement of the Vote, November 8, 2022 - State Assembly" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.