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Carlina Rivera
Member of the New York City Council from the 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2018
Preceded by	Rosie Mendez
Personal details
Born	(1984-01-03) January 3, 1984 (age 41) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jamie Rogers
Children	1
Education	Marist College (BA)
Website	City Council website Campaign website

Carlina Rivera (born January 3, 1984) is an American politician who represents the 2nd district of the New York City Council since 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, her district includes portions of the East Village, Gramercy Park, Kips Bay, Lower East Side, Murray Hill, and Rose Hill in Manhattan.

After serving as the legislative director for Rosie Méndez, Rivera launched her campaign for City Council in 2016 as a Democratic Socialist. By 2017, she was no longer a socialist, and has served as city council representative since. Rivera was a candidate in the Democratic primary for New York's 10th congressional district in 2022, but lost, coming in fourth place, behind Dan Goldman, State Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou, and Congressman Mondaire Jones.

Early life and education

Rivera grew up on the Lower East Side, where she was raised in Section 8 housing by a single mother who moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland. She graduated from Notre Dame School in Manhattan and Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she majored in journalism.

Career

Rivera worked as director of programs and services at Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), a local nonprofit organization focused on neighborhood housing and preservation, economic development, and community revitalization. She was also a member of Manhattan Community Board 3 and later served as the legislative director for Rosie Mendez.

New York City Council

2016-17 City Council campaign

Rivera launched her campaign for City Council in 2016, running for the 2nd District, which encompasses the East Village, Flatiron, Gramercy Park, Rose Hill, Kips Bay, Murray Hill and the Lower East Side. A first-time candidate who participated in public financing, she raised $176,000 through the City’s matching funds program. Rivera was endorsed by the Working Families Party, then City Public Advocate Letitia James, then City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, and the City Council’s Progressive Caucus.

Rivera and her husband, Jamie Rogers, lived in a federally subsidized, low-income Section 8 apartment with an annual income limit of $61,050 for a family of two. Rogers, a former corporate lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell, owns a growing coffee business, a Grand Street co-op apartment in Lower Manhattan, which he rents out, and a small family trust fund. Pictures of Rogers on a yacht owned by his father William P. Rogers Jr., a retired partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, were deleted before the Democratic primary. Their eligibility was questioned as Rivera’s salary as a City Council staffer was $41,770, which means her husband would have had to earn less than $20,000 a year in order for the family to be under the limit. Rogers explained his financial situation in an interview with The Villager and defended their eligibility due to his struggling coffee business and substantial debt.

Rivera won the Democratic primary for New York City's 2nd City Council district in 2017 with 60.54% of the vote (8,354 votes). She went on to win the general election with 82.86% of the vote against Republican and perennial candidate Jimmy McMillan and several third-party candidates.

Tenure

In 2019, as a co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, Rivera was involved in securing $250,000 for the New York Abortion Access Fund to provide abortions for women not covered by insurance or Medicaid, including for those who travel from out-of-state. This funding made New York City the first to allocate money directly to abortion procedures. She has called for more aid to reach the city’s public hospital system, including funding and programs around reproductive healthcare. She also introduced a legislation to create a patient advocate’s office within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to help New Yorkers navigate the healthcare system.

In the same year, Rivera introduced legislations to create an Office of Active Transportation and Office of Pedestrians to assess conditions for safe biking and walking in the city and make recommendations for improvements. She introduced and passed a legislation to strengthen protections for renters during periods of maintenance, renovation, and construction. She introduced a legislation to require child protective specialists to explain to parents or caretakers about their rights during initial contact of an ACS investigation. and passed bills to outlaw the sale of foie gras and outlaw pigeon trafficking. In an effort to crack down on illegal hotel operators, she introduced a bill in June 2018 to require short-term rental companies such as Airbnb to report host data to the city. The bill passed the Council 45–0 and was signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio on August 6, 2018.

She was listed on City & State’s 2020’s Above and Beyond for her work on strengthening abortions rights and combating sexual harassment.

In June 2022, Rivera voted for a controversial $101 billion budget that will cut funding for the city's Department of Education by $600 million, citing "fundamental flaws" in the Fair Student Funding formula.

Rivera is Chair of the Council’s Committee on Hospitals and member of the Council's Women's Caucus, Progressive, and Black, Latino, and Asian Caucuses.

In December 2024, Rivera was one of 31 council members to vote for a revised version of Mayor Adam's new zoning legislation called The City of Yes. It is a $5 billion proposal to allow the construction and conversion of legal and new 80,000 housing units in New York City.

2022 Congressional campaign

Rivera announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in early June 2022 to represent the newly-redistricted New York's 10th congressional district. She was the only candidate that currently lives outside the district but has said that she will move into it if elected. She was endorsed by Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, several City Council members, and unions such as 1199SEIU and Transport Workers Union of America.

Rivers has been a supporter of allowing more density and affordable housing in the Manhattan neighborhoods of SoHo and NoHo. She supported a Habitat for Humanity project to build low-income senior housing in a wealthy neighborhood’s community garden, a project that other New York politicians opposed.

She has been a strong proponent of efforts to rebuild East River Park at higher elevation to make the neighorhood less vulnerable to storms. Rivera is the only top candidate in the Democratic primary to not support allocating 100 percent of residential units in the proposed 5 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan as affordable housing. She has raised a large amount of money from major real estate developers and lobbyists, including billionaire real estate developer Jed Walentas of Two Trees, Kirk Goodrich, Don Capoccia, Robert Levine of RAL Companies, Bruce Teitelbaum, and Daniel R. Tishman of Tishman Realty & Construction, the firm that managed the building of One World Trade Center. The New York Times reported she has reached out to at least two other executives in the real estate industry for donations as of August 2022, according to recipients of her outreach.

Rivera drew criticisms of treating LGBTQ+ New Yorkers as "political chess pieces" when she expressed support for religious exemptions that target members of the community in response to a question about her stance on the well-known same-sex wedding cake case in Colorado during an interview with Hamodia. Rivera said she has put religious exemptions in legislation in the past and is "willing to explore that and do it on the federal level." She walked back her statement and clarified that she opposes giving private businesses a pass on discriminating against LGBTQ+ people.

Rivera was met with backlash for seemingly inviting PAC money by adding a "red box" to her website. She was also called out by then-rival congressional candidate Dan Goldman for her investments in defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, as well as the gun company Smith & Wesson.

Rivera finished in fourth place in the crowded Democratic primary with 10,985 votes (17%), losing to Dan Goldman.

Electoral history

Congress, 2022

City Council

2023

2021

2017

Personal life

She and her husband, Jamie Rogers, a Connecticut College and Cornell Law School graduate, lived on the Lower East Side until June 2021 when they moved to Kips Bay. On WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show, on January 11, 2022, she claimed that "the Lower East Side is my home."

Rivera has a son, who she gave birth to in February 2023.

Rivera was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America as of 2017 but is no longer.

See also

• List of Democratic Socialists of America members who have held office in the United States

Notes

1. Due to redistricting, Mondaire Jones decided to move to NY-10, which is not connected by territory to his home district of NY-17.

References

1. ^ Dorn, Sara (June 1, 2022). "Carlina Rivera enters the race for New York's 10th Congressional District". City & State NY. New York, NY. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
2. ^ "Biography". New York City Council. Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
3. "Carlina Rivera for Council in District 2". AM New York Metro. New York, NY. September 8, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
4. Litvak, Ed (September 5, 2017). "Voter Guide: Carlina Rivera – City Council District 2". The Lo-Down. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
5. Rehman, Zehra (February 6, 2018). "New Council Member Carlina Rivera On Downtown Housing, Nightlife, L Train, and More". Bedford + Bowery. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
6. ^ Brachfeld, Ben (August 8, 2017). "On the Lower East Side, Council Contenders Seek to Upend Favorite for Open Seat". Gotham Gazette. New York, NY. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
7. Litvak, Ed (January 14, 2017). "City Council Candidate Carlina Rivera Reports $176,000 Campaign Fund". The Lo-Down. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
8. "NYWFP Leaders Announce Four Endorsements in NYC City Council Races". workingfamilies.org. Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
9. Kochman, Ben (March 8, 2017). "City's progressive lawmakers endorse three women for open Council seats". New York Daily News. New York, NY. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
10. ^ Anderson, Lincoln (September 12, 2017). "'We qualify': Carlina Rivera, husband defend living in Section 8 apartment". AM New York Metro. New York, NY. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
11. Gonen, Yoav (September 11, 2017). "Section 8 candidate who deleted pics of hubby riding yacht wins Council primary". New York Post. New York, NY. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
12. "Carlina Rivera - Ballotpedia". Retrieved January 1, 2018.
13. Stewart, Nikita (June 14, 2019). "New York City Allocates $250,000 for Abortions, Challenging Conservative States". The New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
14. Osborne, Mark (June 15, 2019). "New York City set to become 1st city to fund abortion services". ABC News. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
15. "NAPAWF New York City Applauds Council Member Carlina Rivera's Introduction of Bill Increasing Contraceptive Access and Choice". NAPAWF. New York, NY. June 26, 2019. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
16. Quigley, Liam (August 14, 2019). "Proposed patients' advocate office aims to help NYers navigate health care system". AM New York Metro. New York, NY. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
17. Kuntzman, Gersh (November 25, 2019). "New Council Bills Will Create a Bike and a Pedestrian Mayor". Streetsblog NYC. New York, NY. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
18. Spivack, Caroline (May 9, 2019). "City Council votes to strengthen tenant protections". Curbed NY. New York, NY. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
19. "Progressive Caucus Introduces Child Welfare Reform Package, Aiming to Increase Rights, Accountability & Transparency". Progressive Caucus of the New York City Council. New York, NY. September 25, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
20. Williamson, Alex (October 31, 2019). "Big day for birds as City Council outlaws foie gras and ends pigeon trafficking". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, NY. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
21. Ferré-Sadurní, Luis (June 26, 2018). "To Curb Illegal Airbnbs, New York City Wants to Collect Data on Hosts". The New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
22. Lampen, Claire (August 7, 2018). "De Blasio Signs Bill Intended To Crack Down On Illegal Airbnb Rentals". Gothamist. New York, NY. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
23. "The 2020 Above & Beyond". City & State NY. New York, NY. March 23, 2020. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
24. Dias, John (June 14, 2022). "New York City Council passes record $101 billion budget deal". CBS News. New York, NY. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
25. Cohen, Rachel (July 12, 2022). "NY-10 Candidates Pitch Brooklyn Political Clubs". Gotham Gazette. New York, NY. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
26. https://citymeetings.nyc/city-council/2024-12-05-0130-pm-stated-meeting/chapter/carlina-rivera-explains-her-vote-in-favor-of-city-of-yes-for-housing-opportunity-1
27. NY 10 Debate, WNYC/Spectrum News NY1, August 10, 2022
28. Coltin, Jeff; Pretsky, Holly (August 1, 2022). "The endorsements for New York's 10th Congressional District". City & State NY. New York, NY. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
29. ^ Rubinstein, Dana (August 5, 2022). "Carlina Rivera and Yuh-Line Niou Rise In Race for NY's 10th District". The New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
30. Kim, Elizabeth (July 11, 2022). "Affordable housing in one of NYC's most expensive neighborhoods becomes litmus test in competitive congressional race". Gothamist. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
31. Smith, Greg B. (18 July 2022). "De Blasio Scores Campaign Cash from Subjects of His Ethics Probes — While Rival Rivera Scoops Up Ex-Supporters". The City.
32. Kim, Elizabeth (July 19, 2022). "NYC real estate industry exerts influence in high-profile congressional race". Gothamist. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
33. ^ Sommerfeldt, Chris (July 19, 2022). "NYC Councilwoman Carlina Rivera affirms opposition to anti-gay 'exemption' after comment causes stir". NY Daily News. New York, NY. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
34. Borchardt, Reuvain (July 19, 2022). "Carlina Rivera Is Leading Congressional Candidate for Open Seat in NY-10 - Hamodia.com". Hamodia. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
35. Coltin, Jeff (August 8, 2022). "A cryptocurrency billionaire is spending big in New York congressional primaries". City & State NY. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
36. Gartland, Michael. "NY-10 Democratic candidates Carlina Rivera and Dan Goldman spar over investments in defense contractors and gun companies".
37. Durkin, Erin; Anuta, Joe; Chadha, Janaki (August 24, 2022). "Dan Goldman wins free-for-all New York House seat". Politico. New York, NY. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
38. "Primary Election 2023 - Democratic Member of the City Council, 2nd Council District". New York City Board of Elections.
39. "2021 Primary Official Ranked Choice Rounds, DEM Council Member 2nd Council District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
40. "General Election 2021 - Member of the City Council, 2nd Council District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
41. "Primary Election 2017 - Democratic Member of the City Council, 2nd Council District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
42. "General Election 2017 - Member of the City Council, 2nd Council District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
43. "Jamie Rogers". Twitter. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
44. "Carlina Rivera (Official Site)". Retrieved 2020-03-16.
45. "Carlina Rivera moves out of Loisaida". 20 June 2021.
46. Rivera, Carlina on "51 Councilmembers in 51 Weeks," The Brian Lehrer Show, January 11, 2022.
47. "Councilmember Carlina Rivera gives birth to baby boy". 14 February 2023.
48. "Bernie Sanders's Socialist Revolution Is Happening, Very Slowly". www.vice.com. 14 November 2017.
49. "15 DSA Members Elected!". Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
50. "Eric Adams' circle warns off 'defund' booster Carlina Rivera as NYC speaker". 16 November 2021.
51. Borchardt, Reuvain (July 19, 2022). "Carlina Rivera Is Leading Congressional Candidate for Open Seat in NY-10". Hamodia.com.

External links

• Biography Councilwoman Carlina Rivera (official site)

v t e Districts and members of the New York City Council
Speaker: Adrienne Adams (D) Majority Leader: Amanda Farías (D) Minority Leader: Joe Borelli (R)
1    Christopher Marte (D) 2    Carlina Rivera (D) 3    Erik Bottcher (D) 4    Keith Powers (D) 5    Julie Menin (D) 6    Gale Brewer (D) 7    Shaun Abreu (D) 8    Diana Ayala (D) 9    Yusef Salaam (D) 10    Carmen De La Rosa (D) 11    Eric Dinowitz (D) 12    Kevin Riley (D) 13    Kristy Marmorato (R) 14    Pierina Sanchez (D) 15    Oswald Feliz (D) 16    Althea Stevens (D) 17    Rafael Salamanca (D) 18    Amanda Farías (D) 19    Vickie Paladino (R) 20    Sandra Ung (D) 21    Francisco Moya (D) 22    Tiffany Cabán (D) 23    Linda Lee (D) 24    James Gennaro (D) 25    Shekar Krishnan (D) 26    Julie Won (D) 27    Nantasha Williams (D) 28    Adrienne Adams (D) 29    Lynn Schulman (D) 30    Robert Holden (D) 31    Selvena Brooks-Powers (D) 32    Joann Ariola (R) 33    Lincoln Restler (D) 34    Jennifer Gutiérrez (D) 35    Crystal Hudson (D) 36    Chi Ossé (D) 37    Sandy Nurse (D) 38    Alexa Avilés (D) 39    Shahana Hanif (D) 40    Rita Joseph (D) 41    Darlene Mealy (D) 42    Chris Banks (D) 43    Susan Zhuang (D) 44    Kalman Yeger (D) 45    Farah Louis (D) 46    Mercedes Narcisse (D) 47    Justin Brannan (D) 48    Inna Vernikov (R) 49    Kamillah Hanks (D) 50    David Carr (R) 51    Joe Borelli (R)
Democratic (45)    Republican (6) Mayor Eric Adams Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Comptroller Brad Lander

• 1984 births
• 21st-century American women politicians
• Candidates in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections
• Hispanic and Latino American city council members
• Hispanic and Latino American New York City Council members
• Hispanic and Latino American women in politics
• Living people
• Marist College alumni
• Members of the Democratic Socialists of America from New York (state)
• New York (state) Democrats
• New York City Council members
• People from the Lower East Side
• Politicians from Manhattan
• Puerto Rican people in New York (state) politics
• American politicians of Puerto Rican descent
• Women New York City Council members