Candidates & Elected Officials

Columbia County Republicans Endorse Rivero for Sheriff

The Columbia County GOP is pleased to announce their endorsement of John M. Rivero in his candidacy for Columbia County Sheriff. John was selected as the candidate after a unanimous vote of the full Committee at their meeting on the evening of February 26th. 

Rivero, a retiree from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, had a long tenured and successful career with the office.  Starting as a Deputy in 1999, he inevitably made his way up through the ranks to criminal investigations.  Rivero was later appointed to 1st Sergeant, where he served in an administrative capacity.  Finally, Rivero was appointed to Lieutenant in 2020, which is the position he held at the time of his retirement in 2022.  “My responsibilities included training of civilian and law enforcement groups, purchasing of needed equipment, budgeting and oversight of payroll”, Rivero said.  He added, due to his extensive background within the agency, he intimately understands the operational needs of the office.

After retirement, Rivero took the opportunity to further his education.  He enrolled in Siena College, which he will graduate with his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Human Rights in the spring.  “My time spent at Siena and my studies of restorative justice techniques, diversion programs, and modernized law enforcement principles to more effectively understand and engage with marginalized communities, have better prepared me to serve as your Sheriff,” said Rivero.  He has also spent time assisting with translating Spanish in his home school district and coaching and fundraising for a variety of local school and community sports teams.

"I am running for Columbia County Sheriff because I believe in the power of positive change. I’ve seen the challenges our Sheriff’s Office faces and the toll it takes on both the staff and the community. It’s time to improve morale, empower our team, and strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the people we serve. I will be a Sheriff who provides service to everyone—regardless of race, gender, religion, or political affiliation. Public safety is my number one priority, and I will be a Sheriff that everyone can count on. I’m committed to leading with integrity, transparency, and a focus on service, ensuring that together, we build a safer and more united community," Rivero said about why he is running for Columbia County Sheriff.

Peter Minahan, Chair of the Columbia County GOP, expressed his confidence in John’s abilities to lead the Sheriff’s office.  Minahan said, “John is a great candidate for Columbia County Sheriff.  With his institutional knowledge, he can lead the office the day he steps in the door.” 

When asked what this endorsement meant to him, Rivero said "I am deeply humbled and grateful to receive the unanimous endorsement of the Republican Party.  Sheriff Bertram's kind words, 'We couldn’t have picked a better person to run for Sheriff,' were especially meaningful to me, coming from someone who hired me over 25 years ago as a young Deputy.”  Rivero added a thank you to the Town Committee members for taking the time to meet with him, share their insights, and offer valuable suggestions.  “With their trust and support, I am committed to running for office and serving our community with dedication and integrity," Rivero said.