Ann Rivers
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Anna M. Rivers (born 1965 or 1966) is an American politician and educator who served as a Republican member of the
Washington State Senate The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 members, each representing a district with a population of nearly 160,000. The State Senate meets at the Washington State Capitol, Legis ...
from when she was appointed to represent the 18th district in 2012, upon the resignation of Joe Zarelli. Prior to this she was a member of the
Washington House of Representatives The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, and along with the Washington State Senate makes up the legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 ...
. In her first full term, a Majority Coalition Caucus was formed, taking control away from the Democrats in the state senate. Rivers was appointed to be majority
whip A whip is a blunt weapon or implement used in a striking motion to create sound or pain. Whips can be used for flagellation against humans or animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain, or be used as an audible cue thro ...
for the session, a rare appointment for a freshman senator. She won re-election for another four-year term in 2012, with 67% of the vote against 32% for her opponent, Ralph Schmidt. Prior to her holding elected office, Rivers led AMR Consulting, a
political consulting Political consulting is a form of consulting that consists primarily of advising and assisting political campaigns. Although the most important role of political consultants is arguably the development and production of mass media (largely televis ...
firm which aided candidates in their elections for offices, as well as providing political consultation to corporate clients. In 2007, she was on the short list for candidates to be chosen to replace
Richard Curtis Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis (born 8 November 1956) is a British screenwriter, producer and director. One of Britain's most successful comedy screenwriters, he is known for romantic comedy-drama films, including ''Four Weddings and a Funeral' ...
in the state house, but
Jaime Herrera Beutler Jaime Lynn Herrera Beutler ( ; born November 3, 1978) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2023. The district is in southwestern Washington, lying across the Columbia River from Oregon's Portland met ...
was chosen instead. Later, Rivers succeeded Herrera Beutler in the house after the latter's election to the
United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature, legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a Bicameralism, bicameral legislature, including a Lower house, lower body, the United States House of Representatives, ...
.


Early life and career

Rivers was born in 1968 in
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,
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. She earned a
bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...
in political science from
Central Michigan University Central Michigan University (CMU) is a Public university, public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States. It was established in 1892 as a private normal school and became a state institution in 1895. CMU is one of the eigh ...
. After graduating in 1990, Rivers worked as a 6th grade teacher. In 2002, she returned to school and graduated from
Lewis and Clark College Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1867 and is situated on the historic M. Lloyd Frank Estate in South Portland's Collins View neighborhood. It is composed of three distinct but adja ...
with a secondary teaching certificate. Though she didn't run for office herself until much later, she helped Bill Williams in his election to the
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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. When Representative Richard Curtis resigned from state house in 2007, Rivers was considered by the
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and Lewis County commissions to be a replacement but
Jaime Herrera Beutler Jaime Lynn Herrera Beutler ( ; born November 3, 1978) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2023. The district is in southwestern Washington, lying across the Columbia River from Oregon's Portland met ...
was chosen instead.


State House of Representatives

Rivers was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in
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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. Her website listed communication as being vital as a state representative. In January 2011, Rivers was selected to deliver the Republican response to governor Christine Gregoire's
State of the State address State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...
. In the address, she listed economic recovery and employment as well as compromise with Gregoire as being the top priorities of her party. 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.


State Senate


Appointment and elections

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. 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. 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%. In 2020, she was reelected with 56.3% of the vote against Democrat Rick Bell.


Tenure

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. Due to their opposition to the project, in July 2013, Governor
Jay Inslee Jay Robert Inslee ( ; born February 9, 1951) is an American politician and lawyer who served from 2013 to 2025 as the 23rd governor of Washington. A member of the Democratic Party, he served from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2012 as a ...
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." In early 2012, Rivers was selected for the
Council of State Governments The Council of State Governments (CSG) is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization in the United States that serves all three branches of state government. Founded in 1933 by Colorado state senator Henry W. Toll, CSG is a region-based forum t ...
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. In November 2012, shortly after entering office, Rivers was appointed to the Republican leadership as the minority whip. 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. 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. Earlier in February, Rivers also introduced legislation attempting to lower restrictions on
initiatives A popular initiative (also citizens' initiative) is a form of direct democracy by which a petition meeting certain hurdles can force a legal procedure on a proposition. In direct initiative, the proposition is put directly to a plebiscite o ...
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. 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
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s for the Washington State Senate Page Program. Rivers introduced legislation to increase taxes on
medical marijuana Medical cannabis, medicinal cannabis or medical marijuana (MMJ) refers to Cannabis (drug), cannabis products and cannabinoid, cannabinoid molecules that are prescription drug, prescribed by physicians for their patients. The use of cannabi ...
. 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. 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. 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. 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.” At the end of June 2014, Rivers joined lawmakers including Lieutenant Governor
Brad Owen Bradley Scott Owen (born May 23, 1950) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Washington from 1997 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was previously elected to the Washington State Legi ...
on a state trade mission to
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. 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.” 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
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, Rivers stated she regretted the remark.


Clark County Politics


Freeholder

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. 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. In the November 6 election, she was elected with 46% of the vote in a 5 candidate field and took office on November 26. The Board of Freeholders submitted a home rule charter on May 27 which put it on the ballot in the November election. In the November election, the charter was approved with 53% of the vote.


Candidacy for Clark County Chair

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. In December 2014, Rivers officially announced she would run for the office. On March 2, 2015,
The Columbian ''The Columbian'' is a daily newspaper serving the Vancouver, Washington, and Clark County, Washington area. It is owned by the Campbell family and is the newspaper of record for Vancouver and Washougal. History Tom Carolan first published t ...
reported Rivers would likely be withdrawing from the race later that week. 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.


Personal life

Rivers' husband is Fred Rivers, a senior account manager for NALCO. They have two children. Rivers and her family live in
La Center, Washington La Center is a city in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,424 at the 2020 census. History In the 1870s, La Center was a business center and head of navigation on the East Fork of the Lewis River. In late summer, ...
.


Awards

* 2014 Guardians of Small Business award. Presented by NFIB. * 2020 Guardians of Small Business. Presented by NFIB.


References


External links


Ann Rivers campaign websiteAnn River's archived page
made during her tenure in the State House of Representatives *Biographical Information, Key Votes, and current legislative committees fro
Project Vote Smart
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rivers, Ann 1960s births Year of birth uncertain Living people Republican Party members of the Washington House of Representatives Central Michigan University alumni Women state legislators in Washington (state) Republican Party Washington (state) state senators 21st-century members of the Washington State Legislature 21st-century American women politicians