David A. Rivera
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David A. Rivera | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Buffalo Common Council from the Niagara District | |
| Assumed office January 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr. |
| Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader | |
| In office July 8, 2015 – January 2, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Demone A. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Leah M. Halton-Pope |
| President pro tempore of the Buffalo Common Council | |
| In office 2010–2012 | |
| Preceded by | Michael P. Kearns |
| Succeeded by | Bonnie E. Russell |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Occupation | Politician; police officer |
David A. Rivera is an American politician and former police officer who has served as the member of the Buffalo Common Council from the Niagara District since 2008. He previously served as majority leader of the council from 2015 to 2024 and as president pro tempore from 2010 to 2012.
Before entering elected office, Rivera worked as a Buffalo police officer from 1982 to 2008. According to his official city biography, his assignments included patrol duty, service as a confidential aide to Mayor James D. Griffin, and work as a detective sergeant in both the Sex Offense/Domestic Violence Unit and the General Investigative Unit.[1]
Political career
Rivera was first elected to the Buffalo Common Council in 2007, winning what Investigative Post later described as a hotly contested Democratic primary in the Niagara District. He took office in 2008.[2] He succeeded Dominic J. Bonifacio Jr., who had represented the Niagara District in 2007.[3]
By February 2010, Rivera was serving as president pro tempore of the Common Council.[4] By January 2012, Buffalo Common Council proceedings listed Bonnie E. Russell in that role, indicating the end of Rivera's tenure as president pro tempore.[5]
In July 2015, Rivera was elected majority leader of the Common Council, replacing Demone A. Smith.[6] He retained the position through subsequent council reorganizations; Buffalo Toronto Public Media reported in January 2020 that Rivera had been reappointed majority leader.[7]
Rivera won re-election to the Niagara District seat in 2019 and again in 2023.[8][9]
In late 2023, Rivera was considered a leading contender to succeed Darius Pridgen as president of the Common Council, but South District councilmember Christopher Scanlon won the internal vote at the council's January 2024 reorganizational meeting.[10][11] At the same meeting, newly elected Ellicott District councilmember Leah Halton-Pope was chosen to succeed Rivera as majority leader.[11]
As of 2026, Rivera chairs the Claims, Police Oversight, and Waterfront Development committees of the Buffalo Common Council.[1]