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 "excerpt": "Edwin Rivera Jr. is an American politician, U.S. Army combat veteran, and former police officer running as the Republican nominee against incumbent Bobby Scott in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District in 2026.",
 "snippet": "Edwin Rivera Jr. is an American politician, U.S. Army combat veteran, and former police officer running as the Republican nominee against incumbent Bobby Scott in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District in 2026.",
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 "markdown": "# Edwin Rivera\n\nEdwin Rivera Jr. is an American politician, a U.S. Army combat veteran, and a former police officer who is the Republican nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District in the 2026 election.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> He faces the incumbent, Democrat Bobby Scott, who has held the seat since first winning it in 1992.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> Rivera's campaign describes him as an \"American Patriot, US Army Combat Disabled Veteran, Husband, Father, Christian, Community Servant running in Congressional District 3 to represent all people.\"<sup>[2](https://www.govserv.org/US/Newport-News/1118490704679232/Edwin-Rivera-for-Congress)</sup>\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Republican<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> |\n| Current office | Republican nominee, U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, 2026 election<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> |\n| Previous offices | None held; former police officer<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nRivera is a Republican.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> He filed as a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Virginia's 3rd District for the 2026 election.<sup>[3](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6VA03121/)</sup>\n\n## Early life and career before politics\n\nRivera is a native of Puerto Rico.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> He served in the U.S. Army as a combat veteran and is a disabled veteran, according to his campaign.<sup>[2](https://www.govserv.org/US/Newport-News/1118490704679232/Edwin-Rivera-for-Congress)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> Before entering politics, he worked as a police officer.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> His campaign is based in [Newport News, Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/newport-news-virginia).<sup>[2](https://www.govserv.org/US/Newport-News/1118490704679232/Edwin-Rivera-for-Congress)</sup>\n\n## Career\n\nRivera registered as a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District for the 2026 election.<sup>[3](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6VA03121/)</sup> He won the Republican nomination and is the party's nominee for the seat in the November 2026 election.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> His campaign website presents him as a veteran candidate with a focus on education reform, public safety, health care access, and veteran support.<sup>[4](https://websitelaunches.com/site/edwinriveraforcongress.com)</sup> The Virginia Free Press described him as a newcomer to politics running against a longtime incumbent.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup>\n\n## Electoral history\n\n- **2026**: Republican nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, facing incumbent Democrat Bobby Scott, who is seeking an 18th consecutive term.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> The election is scheduled for November 2026.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup>\n\n## Issues specific to Rivera\n\nRivera's campaign centers on what he calls \"supporting practical policies that matter to constituents.\"<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> His campaign presents him as running \"to represent all people\" in the 3rd District.<sup>[2](https://www.govserv.org/US/Newport-News/1118490704679232/Edwin-Rivera-for-Congress)</sup> The race against Scott has drawn attention because of the contrast between the candidates: Scott has held the seat since 1992, while Rivera is a first-time candidate.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> The Virginia Free Press reported that Rivera has a narrowing window before the November election to build name recognition in the district.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup>\n\n## Positions\n\n### Education\n\nRivera supports education reform focused on elevating teacher pay and creating \"public/private pathways to college from high school.\"<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> He also supports ensuring that Historically Black Colleges and Universities are appropriately funded.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup>\n\n### Health care\n\nRivera has identified health care accessibility as one of his campaign's areas of concern.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> His campaign website lists health care access among its priorities.<sup>[4](https://websitelaunches.com/site/edwinriveraforcongress.com)</sup>\n\n### Public safety\n\nRivera supports strengthening public safety.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup> His campaign website lists public safety among its priorities.<sup>[4](https://websitelaunches.com/site/edwinriveraforcongress.com)</sup>\n\n### Immigration\n\nRivera has said he wants to fix the Green Card process.<sup>[1](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)</sup>\n\n### Veterans\n\nRivera's campaign website lists veteran support among its priorities.<sup>[4](https://websitelaunches.com/site/edwinriveraforcongress.com)</sup> He describes himself as a U.S. Army combat disabled veteran.<sup>[2](https://www.govserv.org/US/Newport-News/1118490704679232/Edwin-Rivera-for-Congress)</sup>\n\n## References\n\n1. [State of the Race: Scott vs. Rivera in VA-03](https://virginiafreepress.com/state-of-the-race-scott-vs-rivera-in-va-03/)\n2. [Edwin Rivera for Congress](https://www.govserv.org/US/Newport-News/1118490704679232/Edwin-Rivera-for-Congress)\n3. [Edwin Rivera, FEC candidate filing](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6VA03121/)\n4. [Edwin Rivera for Congress website launch record](https://websitelaunches.com/site/edwinriveraforcongress.com)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US candidates for federal and statewide office › Candidates for the US House › Surnames Mi to R*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n",
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 "credit": "\"Edwin Rivera\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/edwin-rivera. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.",
 "credit_md": "\"[Edwin Rivera](https://www.edgepedia.org/edwin-rivera)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/edwin-rivera](https://www.edgepedia.org/edwin-rivera). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).",
 "credit_html": "\"<a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edwin-rivera\">Edwin Rivera</a>\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edwin-rivera\">https://www.edgepedia.org/edwin-rivera</a>. <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\">Edgepedia Community License 1.0</a>.",
 "speakable": "Edwin Rivera Jr. is an American politician, U.S."
}