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Candidates › NY-07 race › 2025–2026
Melvin Rivera
R Republican nominee for U.S. House, NY-07
Has not served in Congress
- On the ballot
- On the general election ballotNov 3, 2026 · New York US House 7
- Where to vote
- Find your polling place (opens in a new tab) · More ways to vote
- Top priorities
- CORE PHILOSOPHY: REDEMPTION
- STRONG FAMILIES & ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE
- HOUSING REFORM & ANTI-HOUSING CORRUPTION
- FREE ENTERPRISE & ECONOMIC GROWTH
- EDUCATION & WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION
- Money
- $0 raised, $0 spent, $0 cash on hand. Where it comes from
13 priorities from melvinforcongress.com, in the order they are listed there. Every heading and the text under it is copied exactly, as one passage for each page it is from, and links to that place on the page; hover a source to see which passage it opens.
This campaign is about breaking cycles and rebuilding lives.
Breaking generational poverty
Breaking dependence on broken systems
Breaking blind loyalty to political parties
We will not be defined by party—we will be defined by policy and results.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Agenda ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Transform public assistance into a system that builds independence—not dependency.
Action Plan ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Restore HRA Apprenticeship Programs tied to high-income industries
Create pipelines to $70K–$100K careers
Allow families to retain benefits while advancing economically
Require:
Financial literacy
Credit-building
Savings targets (30% goal)
Outcome ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Stronger families → long-term independence → generational wealth
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Agenda ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Shift from renter instability to ownership, stability, and community control.
TOPA – Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (CORE POLICY) ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Empower tenants to become homeowners and stakeholders.
Require landlords to notify tenants of intent to sell
Grant tenants the first right to make an offer before public listing
Provide a structured time window for tenants to:
Organize
Secure financing
Submit a competitive bid
Mandate landlords to fairly consider tenant offers
Provide tenants with:
Legal guidance
Financial resources
Technical assistance
Goal: Turn renters into owners, stabilize neighborhoods, and prevent displacement
Additional Housing Actions ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Pass an Anti-Flip Tax to stop predatory speculation
Expand Cease & Desist Zones to protect homeowners
Reform SCRIE/DRIE & SCHE/DHE income caps to reflect real NYC costs
Balance short-term rental policies to protect both homeowners and tenants
Outcome ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
More ownership → stronger communities → long-term affordability
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Agenda ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Build a competitive economy that works for workers, not monopolies.
Action Plan ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Challenge monopolistic practices by companies like National Grid
Expand access to:
Micro-loans
Startup capital
Revitalize industrial zones with business incentives
Cut unnecessary small business regulations
Outcome ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Lower costs, more jobs, stronger middle class
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Agenda ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Create an education system that leads to real-world success.
Action Plan ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Expand:
Trade schools
Apprenticeships
Industrial high schools
Require:
Financial literacy
Entrepreneurship training
Return more control to parents and communities
Outcome ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Students graduate with skills—not just diplomas
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Protect workers and restore fairness in the labor system.
Repeal the Taylor Law
Protect the right of workers to:
Organize
Protest
Negotiate fair wages
Improve compensation and conditions for public employees
Empowered workers → stronger economy
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Safe neighborhoods through balanced and effective policing.
Fully fund law enforcement
Increase:
Officer salaries
Mental health support
Expand community policing
Safer streets and stronger trust
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
A system that is lawful, humane, and practical.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Restore trust by making government fully accountable.
Expand FOIL access to all publicly funded entities
Audit spending and contracts
Require proactive public notification of policy changes
Create zero-interest repayment programs for struggling families
Advocate for transparency in pension fund investments
Promote ethical investment standards
Strengthen oversight in union and public fund governance
Government that works for the people—not above them
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Invest in infrastructure that supports public health and economic growth.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Make transportation more affordable and efficient.
Audit MTA spending and congestion pricing
Expand Fair Fares
Improve commuter affordability
Introduce regulated transit alternatives in underserved areas
Lower costs for working families
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html
Agenda ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Protect communities from environmental and health threats.
Action Plan ↗ (opens melvinforcongress.com/issues.html at this heading)
Invest in:
Flood resilience
Sewer infrastructure
Climate adaptation
Expand:
Cooling centers
Senior and disability support programs
Enforce strict:
Lead safety
Air quality standards
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · melvinforcongress.com/issues.html