Robert A. Rivas
American politician (born 1980)
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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, defeating Republican Neil G. Kitchens.[1]
29th district (2022–present)
Robert 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 |
| 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] Rivas is a leader of the YIMBY movement in California.[9]
Electoral history
| 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 | 83,162 | 68.2 | |
| Republican | Neil G. Kitchens | 38,719 | 31.8 | |
| Total votes | 121,881 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Robert A. Rivas (incumbent) | 64,086 | 69.4 | |
| Republican | Gregory Swett | 28,308 | 30.6 | |
| Total votes | 92,394 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Robert A. Rivas (incumbent) | 123,617 | 69.6 | |
| Republican | Gregory Swett | 53,928 | 30.4 | |
| Total votes | 177,545 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| 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 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Robert Rivas (incumbent) | 63,439 | 63.8 | |
| Republican | Stephanie L. Castro | 36,030 | 36.2 | |
| Total votes | 99,469 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Robert Rivas (incumbent) | 40,756 | 64.8 | |
| Republican | J.W. Paine | 22,145 | 35.2 | |
| Total votes | 62,901 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Robert Rivas (incumbent) | 99,600 | 66.0 | |
| Republican | J.W. Paine | 51,291 | 34.0 | |
| Total votes | 150,891 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||