“Who Will Step Up?” Félix Rivera Asks the Latino Community
by carlos matías
Rivera, who is “absolutely proud” of his Puerto Rican heritage, is leaving the Anchorage Assembly this April after ten years of service. He urged the Latino community “to keep shining” in the city. “Who will step up now?”
“It has been heartening to see Latinos in Anchorage stand up against fascism, showcasing the beauty of our cultures and serving as a fundamental part of the economic, social, and political fabric of our communities. The Latino voice is needed now more than ever,” Rivera tells Sol de Medianoche.
He has served in public office for ten years: one as an assistant to the mayor and nine in the Assembly. His horizons opened in 2016 when Elvi Gray-Jackson asked him to run for her seat in the Assembly, as she was running for the state Senate.
“I was convinced by the quiet work of the mayor’s assistant, at that time Ethan Berkowitz. I was passionate about transportation, education funding, helping the homeless, and keeping the city clean. I asked myself, ‘Why not serve my community?’ And I accepted.”
Four mayors have served during Félix Rivera’s tenure in the Assembly, which is “very unusual”: Ethan Berkowitz (until October 2020), Austin Quinn-Davidson (acting mayor until July 2021), Dave Bronson (until July 2024), and Suzanne LaFrance (currently). Of them, “I’ve worked much better with LaFrance.”
“It’s been a tumultuous nine years: the 2018 earthquake, the 2019 budget crisis, the pandemic. I started with Trump as president, and I’m ending with Trump as president.”
“I’m proud to have represented my constituents in Midtown and to have served the city with integrity and dignity. I’m proud to have served as Assembly Speaker and improved the culture of the Legislature. I’m proud of our housing policy and our work with the homeless. I would have liked to expand public transit and solve the snow removal problem,” Rivera continued.
Once he leaves public life, Félix says he wants to visit his parents in San Antonio, Texas. But to be honest, I had hoped to settle down with someone I love and start a family. However, I’m gay, and every little action of mine is scrutinized. My ability to come out freely has been hindered. Beyond that, I hope to leave behind the constant derogatory comments I face as a Latino and a gay man in public office. The amount of hate I’ve had to endure has been staggering, and it has taken a toll on my mental health.”
“I hope my neighbors look fondly at my service in the Assembly. You never know how you’ll be judged. But I like to think I left this place in better shape than I found it.” Rivera hopes to continue working at The Alaska Center, where he started in March 2025. “I’m going to have a lot of free time to take on new projects and serve my community. I have some ideas and hope to share them soon.”
