Back Button
Branch Politics Logo

Don't waste hours Googling candidates.
Branch has information on all of your candidates, in one place.

Photo of Melvin Rivera

Melvin Rivera

REPUBLICAN

Melvin Rivera is running for New York US Representative, District 7.

Personal background

Melvin Rivera was born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Professional background

Melvin works as a community activist and tenant organizer. He previously served in the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit and worked as a Social Distance Ambassador.

Economy

Proposes an anti-flip tax to limit predatory real-estate speculation and expanding cease-and-desist zones to protect homeowners.

Proposes reforming income caps for New York City rent and homeowner assistance programs and balancing short-term-rental policies for homeowners and tenants.

Advocates repealing the Taylor Law and protecting public employees' rights to organize, protest, negotiate wages, and improve working conditions.

Read more...

Suggest an edit

Public Safety

Supports fully funding law enforcement, increasing officer salaries and mental-health support, and expanding community policing.

Suggest an edit

Healthcare

Recommended distributing masks to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic to limit transmission of the airborne virus.

Suggest an edit

Energy & the Environment

Supports New York State Bill S1237A, which would reinstate the Stock Transfer Tax and direct revenue to water and sewer infrastructure.

Proposes the Safe Water Infrastructure Action Program to replace aging water systems and prevent environmental hazards.

Proposes investments in flood resilience, sewer infrastructure, and climate adaptation, along with cooling centers and stricter lead and air-quality standards.

Suggest an edit

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Proposes focusing immigration enforcement on criminal offenders, requiring warrants, and protecting places of worship and civic appointments.

Proposes expedited green-card pathways for long-term U.S. residents who are law-abiding, pay taxes, and contribute.

Suggest an edit

Voting & Elections

Proposes reforming petitioning systems, increasing voter engagement, ending abuse of campaign matching funds, and investing in grassroots leadership.

Proposes expanding Freedom of Information Law access, auditing spending and contracts, and requiring public notice of policy changes.

Advocates transparency and ethical investment standards for pension funds and stronger oversight of union and public-fund governance.

Suggest an edit

Education

Proposes expanding trade schools, apprenticeships, and industrial high schools.

Proposes requiring financial-literacy and entrepreneurship training and returning greater control over education to parents and communities.

Suggest an edit