Meet pastor and traditional family values advocate
After his recent debate with Carlos Beruff, 2016 Republican US senatorial candidate Ernie Rivera can’t help but smile.
“The next day the Tampa Bay Times referred to me as “longshot candidate Ernie Rivera”. I think that endorsement could be the turning point for my whole campaign,” says the affable Tallahassee-born pastor.
Ernie, (as he likes to be called by friends and supporters), officially entered the Florida GOP senatorial race back in April, and says he has been quietly and patiently flying under the radar while his team of sponsors and advisors have been building relationships and getting endorsements from leaders of Florida’s Hispanic, Christian, and evangelical communities.
“We’re about to take meetings with high ranking members of the GOP, and we look forward to making an announcement that may catch a lot of pollsters off-guard,” says Ernie.
Describing himself as a “compassionate conservative”, Ernie says he decided to make a run for the Senate after witnessing decades of erosion of the principles upon which our nation was founded.
“I believe, as a nation, we have surrendered our will and our God-given authority into the hands of weak, self-serving leaders who have taken us down a wrong path. Now we are starting to pay the price for our mistakes as we find ourselves in the process of destroying ourselves as a country,” says Ernie.
“I call upon each and every one of us: Let’s take back our honor; let’s take back our dignity; and let’s take back our integrity.”
Ernie’s positions on some of the issues important to voters are:
· The border: “Put up a wall at the border, and build it 10 feet higher”
· Gun control: “No more gun-free zones; armed citizens make a safer society”
· Bathrooms: “Use the bathroom appropriate to your biological gender at birth”
· Abortion: “Society must find a more loving solution”
· ISIS: “It’s time to get rid of them”
SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. You’re a successful businessman and ordained minister running as a Republican candidate for the US Senate. Which came first, your interest in business, your interest in religion, or your interest in politics?
2. What are the issues you’re most passionate about?
3. What sets you apart from the other candidates in the Florida senatorial race?
4. You’ve said you want to work toward restoring traditional American values in our nation. Tell us more about those values – and tell us what you think happened to them.
5. You have strong ties to the Hispanic community, especially Puerto Rico. Tell us about your activities there and in other Spanish speaking nations.
6. Why are folks so divided over Donald Trump? Are you a supporter? Why?
7. The Republican primary will be on August 30, and voters need to register by August 1st to be eligible to cast their vote. How do they register?
8. How can folks find out more about Republican senatorial candidate Ernie Rivera?
(visit www.ernie2016.com)
ABOUT ERNIE: (for Ernie’s in-depth bio visit: www.ernie2016.com) In-depth Bio is Noted below
· Born in Tallahassee-1958
· Hispanic Heritage, Puerto Rican
· Married for 33 years to a beautiful Cuban, one son and one grandson.
· 35 years serving in education, social welfare programs in; Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Miami and Africa.
· Strong Christian Beliefs
· Business Entrepreneur, job creator and visionary.
Concerned over the loss of the basic principles on which our nation was founded, Ernie has decided to run for the United State Senate to make the changes needed to restore our great country. He feels we have many problems facing our great nation and we need to elect leaders that will help heal our nation and make us strong again. He has completely dedicated himself to protecting our basic Christian beliefs, protecting our borders, making our military strong again, taking care of our veterans, creating jobs to boost our economy, and reducing government spending.
Candidate Rivera in Depth
Education:
· Doctor in Ministry in Leadership (in progress), Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL
· A. in Education; Administration and Supervision, New York University, N.Y., N.Y.
· A. in Psychology (Psycho-neurophysiology) and Education, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, P.R.
· Theological Studies-Winter In term, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA
· Theological studies, Seminario Teológico y Escuela de Ministros Barbara Ann Roessler, San Juan, P.R.
Certifications:
· Ordained Minister of Christian Education- Presbyterian Church, Puerto Rico-1979
· Ordained Minister and Executive Presbyter of Las Americas Evangelistic Association Inc.- 2008
· Elder of the Session in the Presbyterian Church for over 35 years.
· Certified Financial Manager (CFM)/ National Center for Housing Management-Wash. D.C. -1996
· Certified Manager of Housing (CMH)/ National Center for Housing Management-Wash. D.C.-1996
· Phi-Delta Kappa since 1985
· P.R./First Aid-current.
· ARC/I.A.T.A. Travel Agent. FL. Seller of Travel.
Life Experience:
· President-Founder of Las Americas Evangelistic Association Inc. 2007-Present.
· President of Barbara Ann Roessler Ministries, Presbyterian Church, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Serving there from 1997 to present. 13 years.
· Chaplain, Director, Executive Director and then President of the Barbara Ann Roessler Academy in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Accredited Private Christian School from Pre-Kinder to Twelfth Grade. From 1977 to 2013. 36 yr.
· President of Foundation, Fundación Benéfica Barbara Ann Roessler Housing, Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. Home for the elderly and handicapped under HUD. 60 Homes, 1996-Present.
· E.O., Downtown Inner City Management Co. Housing unit in Miami, Fl. 53 units. 2010-2012. Center for homeless and special needs adults.
· President and Board member in various Home Owners Associations-HOA’s.
· Established nine churches in the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic.
· President/Founder of Camp Puma Inc. Largest Christian Day Camp in Puerto Rico. 1984 to present.
· Chancellor, Seminario Evangélico del Caribe-San Juan, Puerto Rico. 1989-1998
· President/Founder and Executive Producer of M.C.TV. Inc. Television and Radio Ministry. 1992-2004.
· Founder of the Christian Counseling Centers, Tampa, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
· Co-Founder of Orphanage and School, Brigadas de Amor in Honduras. 1989
· Founded the Mission in the Dominican Republic. Schools, Churches and Social Programs for the poor and needy. 1992-Present.
· Built School and Church in Les Cayes, Haiti. 2010
· Directed centers for Haiti Relief after earthquake in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Tampa, Florida. 2010
· Adopted Elementary School Ebenezer in Bioco Sur, Equatorial Guinea, Africa. 2011
· Missions to: Cuba, Spain, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, U.S.A., Equatorial Guinea, Africa.
· Private owner of; Christian Bookstores, Printing Shop, Travel Agency, Food Service outlets, Retail Stores, Import/Export Merchandise Co., Music Schools, Publicity/Media Agency, Martial Arts Schools, Sports Athletic Center, and others. Retired-July 2013.
· Extensive travel; United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Equatorial Guinea-Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Jamaica, Barbados, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Martin, Grand Cayman, Honduras, Belize, Canada, Austria.
Political Experience/Participation:
· Interested in politics since a very young age.
· Was named with his wife Host of the Hispanic Gala in the first Inaugural of President George W. Bush Jan. 2001.
· Considered to a cabinet post during the presidency of George W. Bush to head the Faith Based Initiative. Department. Letter received by Andy Card, Chief of Staff.
· Interviewed for cabinet position in the Jeb Bush Government.
· Yearly visits to Washington D.C. to meet with Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner.
· Yearly visits to Washington D.C. to meet with Puerto Rico’s Federal Affairs Executive Director and Staff.
· Helped to campaign for a Senator in Puerto Rico and had him elected.
· Candidate for U.S. Senator for Florida, Republican-2015