The following is a Q&A with New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera, candidate for the state’s 33rd Senate District, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Fieldston, Norwood, Fordham, Pelham Parkway, Bedford Park, Belmont, Van Nest and portions of Morris Park.
Name: Gustavo Rivera
Age: 46
Occupation: State senator
Residence: Kingsbridge Heights
Party affiliation: Democrat
One thing the average voter doesn’t know about you: “I enjoy singing and am good at it.”
Q. What is the biggest single issue facing the district?
A. Right now, the biggest issue for parents and kids across our district is education. Mayor (Eric) Adams has cut $469 million from schools, and my opponent has accepted his endorsement as well as money from the charter school industry, which take funding and resources away from public schools. Meanwhile, I’ve worked in the state Senate to figure out statewide solutions to the crisis Mayor Adams created, and directly pushed the mayor on his budget.
