Ann Rivers

Rivers was born in 1968 in Saint Joseph, Michigan.{{cite web |title=Ann River's Biography |url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/126326/ann-rivers#.XSO6pejYrnE |publisher=VoteSmart |access-date=8 July 2019}}{{cite web|last=Garrison|first=Greg|title=Candidate Profile: Ann Rivers, 18th District State Legislature|url=http://tdn.com/news/local/candidate-profile-ann-rivers-th-district-state-legislature/article_96eddb32-a032-11df-8d75-001cc4c002e0.html|publisher=TDN|access-date=18 December 2012}} She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Central Michigan University.{{cite web|last=Rivers|first=Ann|title=About Ann|url=http://annrivers.src.wastateleg.org/about-ann/|publisher=Washington State Legislature}}{{cite web|title=State Rep. Ann Rivers|url=http://www.columbian.com/politics/elected-officials/ann-rivers/|publisher=The Columbian}} After graduating in 1990, Rivers worked as a 6th grade teacher. In 2002, she returned to school and graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a secondary teaching certificate.{{cite news|last=Garrison|first=Greg|title=Candidate Profile: Ann Rivers, 18th District State Legislature|url=http://tdn.com/news/local/article_96eddb32-a032-11df-8d75-001cc4c002e0.html|access-date=7 January 2014|newspaper=The Daily News|date=August 4, 2010}}{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=Stevie|title=Teachers quiz Pike at open house|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/jul/05/teachers-quiz-liz-pike-open-house-apologizes/|newspaper=The Columbian|date=July 5, 2013}}

Though she didn't run for office herself until much later, she helped Bill Williams in his election to the Alaska legislature in 1992, and became his chief of staff. During that election, she founded AMR Consulting, a public relations and government affairs consulting firm, which helped in many political campaigns and provided political consultation for corporations.{{cite news|title=Rivers, Russell should move forward in 18th District race|url=http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_45a14820-9c29-11df-a651-001cc4c002e0.html|newspaper=The Daily News (Longview)}}{{cite web |last=Garrison |first=Greg |title=Candidate Profile: Ann Rivers, 18th District State Legislature |url=http://tdn.com/news/local/candidate-profile-ann-rivers-th-district-state-legislature/article_96eddb32-a032-11df-8d75-001cc4c002e0.html |publisher=TDN |access-date=18 December 2012}} When Representative Richard Curtis resigned from state house in 2007, Rivers was considered by the Clark County and Lewis County commissions to be a replacement but Jaime Herrera Beutler was chosen instead.{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=Steve|title=Rivers holds big fundraising lead over Schmidt in 18th District race|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/oct/08/rivers-holds-big-fundraising-lead-over-schmidt/|access-date=18 December 2012|newspaper=The Columbian|date=8 October 2012}}

Rivers was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 2010 succeeding Herrera Beutler after Beutler's election to the United States Congress. As a state representative, Rivers was the assistant whip for the House Republican Caucus. She also served on the House's Business and Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Transportation Committee and Rules Committee.{{cite web|title=Meet Ann|url=http://annrivers.com/meet-ann/|publisher=Ann Rivers for Senate|access-date=19 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116161500/http://annrivers.com/meet-ann/|archive-date=16 November 2012|url-status=dead}} Her website listed communication as being vital as a state representative.{{cite web|last=Rivers|first=Ann|title=Ann Rivers website|url=http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/archives/ann-rivers/|publisher=WA STATE REPUBLICANS|access-date=2012-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115170110/http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/archives/ann-rivers/|archive-date=2012-11-15|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=Stevie|title=Rivers nearly a lock to succeed Zarelli|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jun/18/rivers-nearly-a-lock-to-succeed-zarelli/|access-date=5 January 2014|newspaper=The Columbian|date=June 18, 2012}}

In January 2011, Rivers was selected to deliver the Republican response to governor Christine Gregoire's State of the State address. In the address, she listed economic recovery and employment as well as compromise with Gregoire as being the top priorities of her party.{{cite news|last=Rivers|first=Ann|title=Rep. Ann Rivers delivers GOP response to state of the state address|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jan/11/rep-ann-rivers-delivers-gop-response-state-state-a/|access-date=5 January 2014|newspaper=The Columbian|date=January 11, 2011}}

In February, Rivers submitted a bill to provide more funding for food banks and other charitable causes. The bill authorized public utilities to solicit and collect donations from customers to be put towards food programs for the poor. It also made the donations received by utilities separate from gross income, allowing for it to be tax-free. The bill passed in the State House in February 2011 but failed to make it to the Senate floor.{{cite news|last=Durbin|first=Kathie|title=House approves Rivers' anti-hunger bill|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/23/house-approves-rivers-anti-hunger-bill/|access-date=7 January 2014|newspaper=The Columbian|date=February 23, 2011}}

{{Further|Washington State Senate elections, 2012#18th district}}

In June 2012, about 18 months into her term as a representative, county commissioners appointed Rivers to the state senate to replace Joseph Zarelli, who resigned after 17 years in the senate.{{cite news|last=Associated Press|title=Ann Rivers replaces Zarelli in Wash. state Senate|url=http://www.katu.com/politics/Ann-Rivers-replaces-Joseph-Zarelli-in-Wash-state-Senate-160336165.html|access-date=19 December 2012|newspaper=KATU|date=25 June 2012}} Rivers won re-election in the 2012 election to a four-year term, with 67% of the vote, to 32% for her opponent, Ralph Schmidt.{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Sam|title=Washington Secretary of State|url=http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/LegislativeDistrict18.html|access-date=12 December 2012}}{{cite web

|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/126326/ann-rivers

|title=Ann Rivers

|publisher=votesmart.org

|access-date=9 July 2012

}}{{cite web |url=http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/LegislativeDistrict18.html |title=November 06, 2012 General Election - Legislative District 18 |publisher=Washington State Secretary of State |access-date=21 December 2012}} She outraised by 30–1, with $150,000, to just $5,000 for Schmidt. Rivers' ideas for improving the economy include making the climate friendlier for business. Her plan includes reducing the burden of worker's compensation costs for businesses, reducing regulations, and reducing permitting fees. Rivers was reelected again in 2016, receiving 63.81% of the vote to Democrat Eric Holt's 36.19%.{{cite web|title=November 8, 2016 General Election|url=http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20161108/LegislativeDistrict18.html|publisher=Washington Secretary of State|access-date=30 December 2017}} In 2020, she was reelected with 56.3% of the vote against Democrat Rick Bell.{{cite web |title=Legislative District 18 - State Senator |url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20201103/legislative-district-18-state-senator.html |publisher=Washington Secretary of State |access-date=April 29, 2021}}

File:InterstateBridge.jpg.]]

Rivers has spoken strongly about the Columbia River Crossing I-5 bridge replacement, saying that she disagreed with most everything about the current plan, and that it does not do enough to solve the problem. Willamette Week of Portland labeled Rivers "The CRC killer" for her leadership role in the opposition to the proposed megaproject.{{cite news|last=Damewood|first=Andrea|url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-20340-bridge_end.html/|title=Bridge End, Washington Republican Ann Rivers, the Bridge Killer|newspaper=Willamette Week|date=8 March 2013|access-date=11 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321090150/http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-20340-bridge_end.html|archive-date=21 March 2013|url-status=dead}} Due to their opposition to the project, in July 2013, Governor Jay Inslee labeled both Rivers and Senator Don Benton from the neighboring 17th district "a brick wall to economic progress and CRC." Speaking to a group of CRC supports, "The road to this bridge runs through two senators from this region. Those two senators have stymied any progress on this bridge project. … Until that changes, there’s not a lot I or you can do about that."{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=Steve|title=Governor calls Benton, Rivers a brick wall to economic progress and CRC (with video)|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/jul/26/governor-tours-new-health-bioscience-high-school/|newspaper=The Columbian|date=July 26, 2013}}

In early 2012, Rivers was selected for the Council of State Governments for the Western Legislative Academy. Out of 93 applicants, 39, including Rivers, were chosen. The academy is a training institute for lawmakers in their first four years of service.{{cite news|title=Senator Ann Rivers chosen for 2012 Western Legislative Academy|url=http://dailyinsider.info/senator-ann-rivers-chosen-for-2012-western-legislative-academy/|newspaper=Daily Insider|year=2012}}

In November 2012, shortly after entering office, Rivers was appointed to the Republican leadership as the minority whip.{{cite news|last=Staff|title=Rivers, Benton, Moeller picked for party leadership roles|url=http://blogs.columbian.com/political-beat/2012/11/29/rivers-benton-moeller-picked-for-party-leadership-roles/|newspaper=The Columbian|date=November 29, 2013}} When the Majority Coalition Caucus was formed, taking control of the Senate away from the Democrats, Rivers was promoted to majority whip. It is rare for a freshman senator to be appointed to party leadership.{{cite web|title=2013-2014 Washington State Senate Leadership|url=http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/Pages/SenateLeadership.aspx|publisher=Washington State Senate}}

Rivers introduced a bill in February 2013 to exempt nonprofit shooting clubs from paying sales and use taxes when they buy clay pigeons. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Don Benton and Pam Roach.{{cite news|last=Copeland|first=Joe|title=The Daily Troll: Gas tax increase gets a boost. Step away from that computer, Mr. County Executive. Starbucks' Manga Man|url=http://crosscut.com/2013/02/20/politics-government/113063/daily-troll-gas-tax-transportation-reardon/|newspaper=Crosscut|date=February 20, 2013|access-date=February 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223011822/http://crosscut.com/2013/02/20/politics-government/113063/daily-troll-gas-tax-transportation-reardon/|archive-date=February 23, 2013|url-status=dead}} Earlier in February, Rivers also introduced legislation attempting to lower restrictions on initiatives in Washington State, commenting, "If the people take the time to sign their name and say this is something we need to have a look at, we ought to respect that." Along with cosponsors Roach and Benton, Tim Eyman also is cosponsoring the legislation.{{cite news|last=Wiseman|first=Lucas|title=Rivers, Eyman team on bill to limit interference in initiative process|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/feb/05/initiative-process-eyed-by-rivers-bill/|newspaper=The Columbian|date=February 5, 2013}} In March 2013, Rivers reprimanded senate Democrats for taking advantage of Janéa Holmquist Newbry's departure from the senate floor to feed her newborn son, leaving the Democrats in temporary control of the senate floor. Immediately after she left, Democrat David Frockt attempted to pass a bill through the floor. As part of her duties, Rivers has also hosted high-school aged pages for the Washington State Senate Page Program.{{cite news|title=Hockinson High sophomore serves as page for Sen. Ann Rivers|url=http://www.thereflector.com/people/article_351247ba-6fd6-11e2-b705-0019bb2963f4.html|newspaper=The Reflector|date=February 6, 2013}}

Rivers introduced legislation to increase taxes on medical marijuana. Washington is one of only a few states that has legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use. Recreational marijuana has a 25% tax for consumers. However, medical marijuana does not have any taxes. Rivers' legislation would also force medical marijuana clinics to obtain more permits and waivers.{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=Steve|title=Rivers bill would tax medical pot|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/apr/08/rivers-bill-would-tax-medical-pot/|access-date=23 July 2013|newspaper=The Columbian|date=April 8, 2013}}

In June 2013, fellow state senator Don Benton filed a complaint against Rivers, claiming she had broken a senate floor rule by swearing at him during a floor discussion. Benton also claimed that Rivers had screamed at him on one other occasion, during a Republican caucus. He claimed that he had felt physically threatened, saying, "It was a very uncomfortable feeling. I have been on the receiving end of many heated comments over the years, but I have never before felt the threat of physical violence." Rivers responded with an apology; he took issue with some of the wording in the apology and he filed the complaint.{{cite news|last=Hidle|first=Erik|title=Sen. Benton files complaint against colleague Rivers|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/jun/20/senators-benton-complaint-against-rivers/|newspaper=The Columbian|date=June 20, 2013}} Many have come out in support of Rivers, who claims that Benton was harassing her, adding she will, "stand my ground against anyone who attempts to bully, intimidate or threaten me." Some have labeled Benton a hypocrite, as he recently lifted sanctions against Pam Roach, who had been seen screaming on the floor and had mistreated staff.{{cite news|title=Benton merely a Senate bully|url=http://www.theolympian.com/2013/07/05/2611300/benton-merely-a-senate-bully.html|newspaper=The Olympian|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705170105/http://www.theolympian.com/2013/07/05/2611300/benton-merely-a-senate-bully.html|archive-date=July 5, 2013|url-status=dead}} In a January 2014 decision, officials in the Washington State Legislature have decided both senators were at fault for the spat. They determined that Benton had harassed Rivers, which provoked her. On the decision, Rivers stated, "I have to conclude that he was trying to bait me into this reaction, which unfortunately he did.”{{cite news|last=Mathieu|first=Stevie|title=Report: Benton, Rivers both at fault for spats in the Legislature|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jan/06/report-benton-rivers-both-fault-spats-legislature/|newspaper=The Columbian|date=January 6, 2014}}

At the end of June 2014, Rivers joined lawmakers including Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen on a state trade mission to Taiwan. Rivers' district sells more fishing licenses than any other in the state and she would like “to promote our area as a destination for sport fishing.”{{cite news|title=Sen. Rivers joins state trade mission to Taiwan|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jun/20/sen-rivers-joins-state-trade-mission-taiwan/|publisher=The Columbian|date=June 20, 2014}}

On March 24, 2021, Rivers attended the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee meeting, during which she used the word "retarded" when she stated, "There’s no way (it) doesn’t get funded this year. We would have to be retarded. Or idiots. Or something if we didn't fund that." In a text message to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Rivers stated she regretted the remark.{{cite news |last1=Brynelson |first1=Troy |title=Washington state Sen. Ann Rivers uses derogatory word, apologizes |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2021/03/25/washington-state-senator-ann-rivers-derogatory-word/?fbclid=IwAR12KkmBQaHftGkCYnPWrS8miR0BGlNCGV0zmcVOvpjgDI2zmE7_FYNrleI |access-date=March 25, 2021 |publisher=Oregon Public Broadcasting |date=March 25, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Hair |first1=Calley |title=Sen. Rivers uses R-word slur in public hearing |url=https://blogs.columbian.com/all-politics-is-local/sen-rivers-uses-r-word-slur-in-public-hearing/ |access-date=March 25, 2021 |publisher=The Columbian |date=March 24, 2021}}

In 2013, Rivers ran for a freeholder position in Clark County's 1st district. The freeholders are responsible for drafting a new county charter that will, with voter's approval, turn Clark County into a Charter County. 123 people filed for the 15 freeholder seats.{{cite news|last=Hidle|first=Erik|title=123 file for 15 freeholder spots|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/aug/09/123-file-for-15-charter-spots/|access-date=16 August 2013|newspaper=The Columbian|date=August 9, 2013}} The primary election, held August 5, was noted for its low turnout (under 20%), although Rivers garnered enough votes to move on to the general election.{{cite news|last=Hidle|first=Erik|title=Big ballot puts Clark County at 'tipping point'|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/aug/15/big-ballot-puts-county-at-tipping-point/|newspaper=The Columbian|date=August 15, 2013}} In the November 6 election, she was elected with 46% of the vote in a 5 candidate field{{cite web|title=November 5, 2013 General Election|url=http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/clark/|publisher=Clark County Auditor|access-date=15 November 2013}} and took office on November 26.{{cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/documents/2013/Q_%20AforFreeholders2013.pdf|publisher=Clark County Elections Department|access-date=15 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107052745/http://www.clark.wa.gov/elections/documents/2013/Q_%20AforFreeholders2013.pdf|archive-date=7 January 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Hidle|first=Erik|title=Republicans likely to hold edge on freeholders board|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/nov/06/republicans-edge-freeholders-board-clark-county/|access-date=15 November 2013|newspaper=The Columbian|date=November 6, 2013}}

The Board of Freeholders submitted a home rule charter on May 27 which put it on the ballot in the November election.{{cite web|title=Board of Freeholders|url=http://www.co.clark.wa.us/freeholders/index.html|website=Clark County, Washington|access-date=12 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518005807/http://www.co.clark.wa.us/freeholders/index.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}} In the November election, the charter was approved with 53% of the vote.{{cite web|title=November 4, 2014 General Election|url=http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20141104/clark/|website=vote.wa.gov}}

In late 2014 and early 2015, Rivers briefly considered running to be the chair of Clark County, a new position created with the home rule charter that Rivers worked to pass. There is no official rule against serving both as the chair and a state senator, but there were concerns about Rivers' ability to balance the two offices.{{cite news|last1=Dake|first1=Lauren|title=Senator Rivers and Chairwoman Rivers?|url=http://blogs.columbian.com/political-beat/2014/11/28/senator-rivers-chairwoman-rivers/|access-date=12 April 2015|publisher=The Columbian|date=November 28, 2014}} In December 2014, Rivers officially announced she would run for the office. On March 2, 2015, The Columbian reported Rivers would likely be withdrawing from the race later that week.{{cite news|last1=Gillespie|first1=Kaitlin|title=Sen. Ann Rivers could pull from Clark County chair race|url=http://blogs.columbian.com/all-politics-is-local/sen-ann-rivers-pull-clark-county-chair-race/|publisher=The Columbian|date=March 2, 2015}} That was confirmed when Rivers released a statement later that day that said Rivers would not be a candidate. Rivers cited the time commitment and desire to stay in the State Senate as reasons for her withdrawal. She was considered the front runner for the office.{{cite news|last1=Brancaccio|first1=Lou|title=Press Talk: Rivers out in run for county chair|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/02/rivers-out-in-run-for-county-chair/|access-date=12 April 2015|publisher=The Columbian|date=March 2, 2015}}

Rivers' husband is Fred Rivers, a senior account manager for NALCO. They have two children. Rivers and her family live in La Center, Washington.{{cite web|title=Senator Ann Rivers's Voting Records Marriage, Family, and Children|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/126326/ann-rivers/31/marriage-family-and-children#.Ua_z_Pk-Yvw|publisher=Vote Smart}}{{cite web|title=Meet Ann Rivers|url=http://annrivers.com/meet-ann/|publisher=Friends of Ann Rivers|access-date=2012-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116161500/http://annrivers.com/meet-ann/|archive-date=2012-11-16|url-status=dead}}

• 2014 Guardians of Small Business award. Presented by NFIB.{{cite web |URL=https://www.nfib.com/content/news/washington/69-lawmakers-win-main-streets-highest-award-65593/ |title=69 Lawmakers Win Main Street's Highest Award |website=nfib.com |date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=September 18, 2021}}
• 2020 Guardians of Small Business. Presented by NFIB.{{cite web |URL=https://www.nfib.com/content/news/guardian-of-small-business/44-washington-legislators-named-guardians-of-small-business/ |title=44 Washington Legislators Named Guardians of Small Business |website=nfib.com |date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=September 13, 2021}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.AnnRivers.com Ann Rivers campaign website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121115170110/http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/archives/ann-rivers/ Ann River's archived page] made during her tenure in the State House of Representatives
• Biographical Information, Key Votes, and current legislative committees from [http://votesmart.org/candidate/126326/ann-rivers#.UVn40xybP5I Project Vote Smart]

{{Washington State Senators}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rivers, Ann}}

Category:1960s births

Category:Year of birth uncertain

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party members of the Washington House of Representatives

Category:Central Michigan University alumni

Category:Women state legislators in Washington (state)

Category:Republican Party Washington (state) state senators

Category:21st-century members of the Washington State Legislature

Category:21st-century American women politicians