Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Rick Rivas

12. Rick Rivas

Rick Rivas’s official title is Vice President, California for the American Beverage Association. As such he is not on anyone’s official Assembly org chart. But if he were, he could well be listed as “Younger Brother of Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.” Don’t laugh – Rick is widely understood to be the Speaker’s closest confidant and top political strategist, and is involved in every major action the older Rivas takes on. It’s old news now that Rick pulled the strings on his brother’s historic takeover of the Assembly that pushed former Speaker Anthony Rendon out of office. But that level of hands-on influence has not abated, and for good reason. Rick’s political acumen is stellar, and he is widely respected for his political savvy and almost encyclopedic knowledge of campaigns. And while Robert Rivas is respected for his diplomacy and being a generally nice guy, Rick has no problem being the blunt force instrument when he feels he needs to be. His critics argue that he feels that way far more than is necessary, but you go ahead and tell him that.

Updated Aug. 26, 2025