Peter M. Rivera

Peter Rivera (born November 12, 1946 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is an American politician who represented District 76 in the New York State Assembly, which comprises West Farms, Van Nest, Castle Hill and Parkchester. He later served as the New York State Commissioner of Labor.[1]

Peter Rivera
Member of the New York State Assembly for the 76th District
In office 1993–2012
Preceded by	Aurelia Greene
Succeeded by	Micah Kellner
Personal details
Born	November 12, 1946 Ponce, Puerto Rico
Alma mater	Pace University (BBA) St. John's University School of Law (JD)

Early life and education

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Rivera earned a degree in business administration from Pace University in 1968, and a J.D. from St. John's University School of Law in 1974. The following year, he was admitted to the New York State Bar Association.[2]

Career

Rivera began his career as a patrolman and detective with the New York Police Department in the South Bronx. Rivera then became an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration. After graduating from law school, he began to work as an assistant district attorney in the Homicide Bureau of the Bronx County District Attorney's Office. He has been in private law practice since 1978.

First elected to the Assembly in 1992, Rivera was the Chairman of the New York Assembly's Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task force and Assembly Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Developmental Disabilities. He was the highest-ranking self-described Latino officeholder within the State Assembly.[3]

In the summer of 2010, The New York Times reported that Rivera would face a Democratic primary election challenge from Bronx lawyer Luis R. Sepúlveda.[4] Rivera went on to defeat Sepulveda in the 2010 primary.[5]

Rivera resigned from his assembly seat in 2012 to take the position of New York State Commissioner of Labor.[3]

References

1. "Governor Cuomo Announces Nominee for Commissioner of the Department of Labor". Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
2. "Peter Rivera". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
3. Cruz, David (5 April 2012). "Assemblyman Peter Rivera moves NYS Department of Labor, seat opens". Bronx Times. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
4. Dolnick, Sam (18 August 2010). "Bronx Democratic Challenger Courts Bangladeshis". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
5. Kappstatter, Bob. "Let the Bronx borough's political games begin". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

External links

• Biography: New York State Democratic Committee
• New York State Assembly Member Website