Previous Occupation

Chief of Staff, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Florida Constituency Director, Obama for President; Director of Outreach, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Education
University of Puerto Rico, Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Organizational Affiliation
Board Member, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials; Member, New York State United Teachers

Gustavo J. Rivera — NYC Votes 2020 Voter Guide

J. Gustavo Rivera attended the University of Puerto Rico and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Gustavo J. Rivera | New York City Campaign Finance Board

Gustavo Rivera attended the University of Puerto Rico and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Current Occupation

State Senator for the 33rd District

Previous Occupation

Chief of Staff, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Florida Constituency Director, Obama for President; Director of Outreach, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Education
University of Puerto Rico, Graduate Center of the City University of New York

J. Gustavo Rivera previously worked as chief of staff for Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, as Florida constituency director for Obama for President, and as director of outreach for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Gustavo previously worked as chief of staff for Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, as Florida constituency director for Obama for President, and as director of outreach for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

Candidate Statement

I was elected to serve as State Senator for the constituents of the 33rd Senate District in November of 2010. I campaigned on the promise that I would work hard to represent the interests of my Bronx neighbors in Albany and restore the public’s trust in their elected officials.

J. Gustavo Rivera was elected to serve as state senator for New York’s 33rd Senate District in November 2010.

Gustavo was elected to serve as state senator for New York’s 33rd Senate District in November 2010.

2026 New York General Election

As of September 9, 2026, J. Gustavo Rivera did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Energy & the Environment

“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in D.C. who have introduced a brilliant bill to enable states to establish universal healthcare systems with support from the federal government,” said New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I assure my fellow New Yorkers that we could establish a single payer system through the NY Health Act without a federal waiver, but the State-Based Universal Health Care Act would make that process far more seamless and ultimately, make healthcare more accessible and affordable and fix our broken healthcare system.”

Senator Gustavo Rivera Joins US Senator Markey, Representative Khanna, and State Legislators in Support of the State-Based Universal Health Care Act | NYSenate.gov

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, and bill sponsor, Senator Gustavo Rivera said, "I am honored to support this legislative package, that includes my New York Affordable Manufacturing Act (S.1618), a bill that would allow direct partnership with drug manufacturers to produce generic drugs and significantly lower the costs for customers. I want to thank the Leader and my colleagues for prioritizing policies that will help New Yorkers access affordable healthcare."

State Senate Advances Legislation to Protect Access to Affordable Health Care, Lower Prescription Drug Costs | NYSenate.gov

Legislative Components
The New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act: This bill, S.1618, sponsored by Senator Rivera, would authorize the NYS Department of Health and its commissioner to establish partnerships directly with drug manufacturers to help significantly lower the cost of drugs for consumers by helping secure more generic alternatives to prescription medications.

## 2025-S1224 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

BILL NUMBER: S1224

SPONSOR: RIVERA

TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to coverage for services provided by school-based health centers for medical assistance recipients

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To permit school-based health centers (SBHC) to remain out of Medicaid managed care.

NY State Senate Bill 2025-S1224

Supports establishing a single-payer health care system in New York through the NY Health Act.

Sponsored the New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act (S.1618), authorizing state partnerships with drug manufacturers to expand generic alternatives and lower consumer drug costs.

Sponsored Senate Bill S1224 to keep school-based health centers outside Medicaid managed care.

- Supports establishing a single-payer health care system in New York through the NY Health Act.
- Sponsored the New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act (S.1618), authorizing state partnerships with drug manufacturers to expand generic alternatives and lower consumer drug costs.
- Sponsored Senate Bill S1224 to keep school-based health centers outside Medicaid managed care.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Throughout his tenure, Senator Rivera has focused on issues such as expanding access to healthcare, improving public education, and advocating for immigrant rights. He has worked on legislation to increase funding for schools, improve healthcare access for underserved communities, and promote policies that support working families.

About Senator Gustavo Rivera

As a state senator, he worked on legislation to increase school funding.

- As a state senator, he worked on legislation to increase school funding.

Education

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J. Gustavo Rivera

As of September 9, 2026, J. Gustavo Rivera’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

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Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

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