Maritza Rivera

Maritza Rivera is a Seattle City Council member since January 2024 representing District 4.

Biography

Rivera was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the Bronx, in a low-income, Black and Brown majority neighborhood. Her father was a welder, and her mother worked at a factory.

Rivera graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, then earning her Bachelor's degree from Skidmore College before going to Fordham University School of Law. Afterwards, she moved to Seattle where she worked for the American Civil Liberties Union. In January 2023, 26 staff members of the Arts department signed a letter accusing Rivera of creating a toxic workplace and ignoring city policies. When asked about the letter, Rivera stated that "...change is really hard for folks. I’m really proud of the work that I did at [the Office of Arts & Culture]." She decided to run after a deadly shooting at Ingraham High School, where her two daughters where present saying, "It was a terrifying experience for my family."

In the August primary, Rivera got second place with 31% of the vote behind progressive tech consultant Ron Davis who earned 45% of the vote. Both would advance to the November general election.

In the general election, Rivera and Davis ran similar policies related to housing and public safety, with Rivera having a centrist approach and Davis taking a progressive approach. Davis highlighted his ability to create positive workplaces and said of Rivera, “My opponent had 26 of her 40 former employees sign a letter saying that she created a toxic work environment and made it very difficult to do their work at the City of Seattle.”

Tenure

In May 2023, councilmember Rivera proposed a budget amendment that would add additional requirements on money the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) uses for its Equity Development Initiative, which faced pushback from the community and other councilmembers. The legislation would be tabled, and a revised, less stringent, amendment would pass the council. Rivera still supported her original amendment and said that opponents of the amendment were spreading misinformation. In August 2026, Rivera recused herself on a vote related to banning pet fees and other housing "junk fees" because she is a landlord.

Personal life

Rivera is married with two children. She lives in Ravenna.