Ernest "Ernie" Rivera
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, D.M.c., 2000
New York University-NYU, New York, M.A., 1990
University Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, B.A., 1981
WORK & MILITARY
National Center for Housing, Certified Manager of Finance, 20
National Center for Housing, Certified Manager of Housing, 20
ARC/IATA, Travel Agent, 15
AFFILIATIONS
Las Americas Evangelistic Association, President and Founder, 2008-2026
Ordained Pastor, Barbara Ann Roessler Ministries, 1978-2026
Sabana Grande Housing for the Elderly and Handicap, President/CEO, 1994-2015
MCTV-Christian Radio and Television Ministry, President / Founder, 1989-2003
Evangelical Theological Seminary of the Caribbean, Chancellor, 1992-1998
Protect Our Children Project, President, 2018-2026
BARM Mission to the Dominican Republic, President, 1996-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
U.S. Senate for Florida, 2016-2026
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Truth, Faith and Action Alliance
Hardworking People of Florida
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Jesus Martinez Jesus R. Martinez (2020)
State Republican Party Organizations (2015)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate debate. The Miami Independent. 25 Jul 2025. Starts at 35:20 min.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Rev. Ernie Rivera affirms the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death. As co-founder of Protect Our Children Project Inc. and a minister of 48+ years, he believes protecting the vulnerable the unborn, the elderly, the disabled is a foundational duty of just government. Faith. Family. Florida First.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
Every human embryo is a human life deserving of protection. Ernie Rivera supports ethical safeguards that prevent the purposeful destruction of human embryos while respecting families seeking to build their lives.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Never as elective. The only exception is to save the physical life of the mother.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Taxpayer dollars should never subsidize abortion providers. Ernie Rivera supports redirecting those funds to community health centers that serve women and families without performing abortions.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
Ernie Rivera supports enforcing existing federal law. The protection of unborn life is a moral and legal priority, and Ernie Rivera believes the law should be applied as written.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Strongly Disagree
Everyone should be treated equally under the tax code. Ernie Rivera supports lower, fairer taxes and pro-growth policies that lift working families not penalizing success.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
The national debt is a threat to Florida's families and future generations. Ernie Rivera supports disciplined spending cuts and an end to waste.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Find and stop corruption — support DOGE-style audits Identify and cut unneeded expenses, including DEI programs Eliminate taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood and similar organizations Limit international project funding and refocus on American priorities
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is a foundational, God-given right protected by the First Amendment. Ernie Rivera believes no American should be forced to violate their sincerely held faith convictions to operate a business or serve in public life.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The First Amendment was written to protect the church from government interference not to silence faith in public life. Government should never establish a state religion, nor restrict the free exercise of any American's faith. People of faith have every right to bring their values into the public square.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. Ernie Rivera supports protecting earned benefits for seniors while expanding private, patient-centered options and price transparency that lower costs for families.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
Government has no business maintaining a database of citizens' medical conditions. Ernie Rivera will defend patient privacy and oppose any government overreach into Americans' personal health records.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The CCP is the foremost strategic threat to American security and prosperity. Ernie Rivera supports protecting our supply chains, defending against cyber and IP theft, and standing firm against Chinese influence.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes it is vitally important. Israel is America's closest ally and the only stable democracy in the Middle East. Ernie Rivera stands firmly with Israel and supports a strong, enduring alliance.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
Terrorism in every form is a threat to American security and has no place in our nation. Ernie Rivera supports strong, vigilant defense against all who would do Americans harm.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Everyone willing to go through our legal immigration process should be welcomed, provided they embrace American culture, our shared values, and our constitutional principles. Ernie Rivera supports legal immigration, secure borders, and the rule of law.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
Sanctuary cities undermine the rule of law and endanger communities. Ernie Rivera supports cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and securing our borders.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Education decisions belong with parents, local communities, and states—not Washington bureaucrats. Ernie Rivera supports returning control to families and empowering parents in their children's education.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Foreign adversaries should have no influence over what American students are taught. Ernie Rivera supports transparency and a firm prohibition on foreign government funding in our schools and universities.
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Children deserve protection, not irreversible medical procedures they cannot consent to. Ernie Rivera supports strong legal safeguards holding accountable any adult who subjects a minor to these life-altering interventions, and believes these decisions have no place being made on children.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Ernie Rivera affirms the biblical and historic definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, the foundation of strong families and a healthy society.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I confess the Apostles' Creed and believe the 66 books of the Holy Bible are the foundation of truth and life. My faith shapes everything I do my service, my family, and my commitment to Florida.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voter ID protects the integrity of our elections and ensures every legal vote counts. Ernie Rivera supports common-sense photo identification requirements that Floridians across the spectrum overwhelmingly support.
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
Ernie Rivera supports protecting women's sports and women's private spaces. Fairness and safety for women and girls means preserving these spaces for biological females.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Fossil fuels, including coal and natural gas, remain reliable and affordable. I'm also encouraged by Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), an emerging nuclear technology that could help meet America's growing energy demand.I support energy independence.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Ernie Rivera is a lifelong conservative whose values are rooted in faith, family, and the Constitution. Faith. Family. Florida First.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
As co-founder of the Protect Our Children Project, Ernie Rivera has fought to defend the innocence and safety of children. He strongly supports holding online predators accountable and giving law enforcement the tools to protect kids from exploitation.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment is a God-given, constitutionally protected right that shall not be infringed. Ernie Rivera opposes new restrictions on law-abiding citizens. We should focus on enforcing existing laws that keep firearms out of the hands of violent criminals and those already prohibited from owning them.
