Majority Leader Joel Rivera made his mark in history by becoming the youngest New York City elected official at the age of 22. Rivera succeeded his father, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, as the New York City Councilmember for District 15 in a 2001 special election. One year later he was unanimously selected by his colleagues to become the Council's youngest ever Majority Leader.
Joel was active in both local and national Democratic campaigns as a teen. He worked on the Presidential campaign of President Clinton in 1992. At 15, Rivera accompanied his father and other City Council members on a trip to Israel to tour orphanages and day care centers.
As Chair of the Council’s Health committee, he helped to ban trans fat and mandate calorie labeling in New York City fast food restaurants.
Rivera is the Chairman of Rules, Privileges & Elections committee and serves on the Finance, Health, Housing & Buildings, Land Use, Standards & Ethics, State Federal Legislation committees, as well as the Zoning & Franchises subcommittee.
Council Member Rivera represents the neighborhoods of Bathgate, Belmont, Crotona, Fordham, East Tremont, Van Nest and West Farms. Re-elected for a third term, he continues to work hard to ensure that the 15th Council District continues on a progressive path.
