Rivera's chief of staff leaves for Central Labor Council

Bronx state Sen. Gustavo Rivera's chief of staff, Marco Carrion, is leaving his position to begin working as the legislative/political director for the NYC Central Labor Council.

Capitol Tonight reported the departure, and we spoke to Rivera's communications director Conchita Cruz and confirmed it. Cruz, in fact, is replacing Carrion as chief of staff.

Carrion had great things to say about both Rivera and Cruz:

“The Senator and I have been close friends for many years – this change is in no way an end to our partnership and collaborations. I am confident that I am leaving Senator Rivera in good hands – Conchita’s national political experience and wide networks will enhance Senator Rivera’s already rising national and statewide profile as a Latino leader.”

He was Rivera's campaign manager during the 2010 election, when Rivera easily took down the embattled Pedro Espada, Jr. This isn’t Carrion’s first stint with organized labor: prior to working with Rivera, he worked for the UFT and also for the AFL-CIO – both in New York and at the national level. 

Jump below for more.

Cruz has been somewhat of a journeymanwoman in her relatively short political career. She's put in time with Colorado Rep. Jared Polis, focusing on immigration policy, immigrants’ rights and LGBT issues. She and Rivera met while they were both working on Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, where she was at Chicago headquarters helping with Latino outreach during the primary. And in 2010, she worked on the Florida governor’s race.

“I am excited to take on this new role and consider myself very lucky to work for an elected official who I so strongly respect and believe in and who shares a commitment to serving not only the voters of the 33rd Senate District, but each and every member of the community, regardless of their immigration status," Cruz said. "I am confident in the Senator’s genuine passion for serving his community and in the staff we have assembled to help make that a reality.”

Before Rivera took down Espada, he worked for SIEU, managing the union’s efforts on Obama’s behalf in several key primary states. He then worked as Obama’s Hispanic vote director in Florida. After the 2008 election, Rivera returned to New York to accept a job as director of community outreach for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.