Don L. Rivers
Democrat | Washington
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Don L. Rivers
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
American Management Assoc, Seattle, WA, Yes, 1999
Green River CC, Kent, WA, 20 credits to finish, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
King County, Equipment Inspector, 34.5
Inside Out/Training & Consulting, Founder & Chairman, 30
AC/AC/AC, Founder & Chairman, 39.5
Donovan's Cleaning Painting & Landscaping, CEO, 40
AFFILIATIONS
Universal Peace Federation Korea, Ambassador For Peace 2018, Urban Enterprises Mentorship Organization
Founder, Kent Community Foundation, Exec Board Member
Kent Community Outreach, Member/volunteer, Bridging the Gaps Coalition Reconciliation/KCS
Co-Founder
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
NA
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
US Congress, District 7, 2006, '08, 2010, '12
Kent City Council, 1997
Governor, 2020
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Alliance For Gun Responsibility (2016)
Jay Inslee (2016)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2016)
John Lovick (2015)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2010)
OTHER INFORMATION
Don Rivers completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe a woman has the right to choose what she wishes do with her life and her body.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Patients should be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if some or all should be covered by taxpayers funds for potions not covered by health insurance.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I have realized that in order for citizens to live a productive and fulfilling life the minimum wage needs to be much higher to sustain individuals and to keep them from falling below poverty or becoming homeless.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
Low-income communities have a greater need for public monies to uplift the community than higher income yielding communities.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Churches should only be closed if there is a threat to the health and/or safety of its members or if the church administration is found to be fraudulent.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
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.
B. Everyone has the right to health care whether they can afford it or not.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccinations should be required as long as it does not violate a person religious beliefs, morals and/ or is detrimental to someone's health.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The relationship between the United States and Israel is vital but presently the region needs to stabilize and constantly evaluated.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
State and federal government need to work together to on this issue collectively. Mandatory six months visas, health checks, and psychological evaluations should be given to those entering The US legally for the first time. We need to develop programs such as naturalized citizenship clinics and In-country green card workshops to help unauthorized immigrants to become tax paying citizens.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Agree
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Agree
If it is in the best interest for the well-being of the child and if the parent is mentally stable.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
Everyone has the right to live, love and be happy in the choices they make over their own lives. No one has the right to choose how another person should live.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a believe of the Christian faith. I practice living by moral, values, principles and ethics.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The would open the door to fraud and corruption of the election process system.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Neutral
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Our nation is made up of many different cultures. If we do not come together to embrace one another's cultural differences to become a multicultural nation, the diversity amongst us will be detrimental to our nation and its security.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
Statistics show there will always be some institutions that will racist.
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.
Neutral
I believe all establishments, government, public and/or private, should provide gender neutral spaces to accommodate all.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
B, D. Educational awareness campaigns are vital to engage individuals and communities in adopting sustainable practices and making informed decisions. Collaboration between governments, industries and individuals are paramount to ensuring effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies needs to be implemented. Promoting sustainable transportation systems, implementing stricter emissions regulations for all fully non-electric vehicles and preserving natural habitats are important
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe lithium power will be one of the future's most demanding energy sources.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No I have not.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No I have not.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to equally represent the people regardless of race, gender, creeds, religions or sexual orientations and to protect the individual rights to liberty within conditions of order and stability.
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?
Liberal
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Disagree
The police department needs to be restructured not defunded.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Mental stability evaluations and background checks needs to be implemented along with mandatory weapons training classes.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
