Heard Around Town: José Rivera spokesman says he’s not retiring, despite rumors

Assemblyman José Rivera’s spokesman Mike Nieves said the longtime Bronx pol has no plans to retire and those spreading rumors about the Rivera family’s plans should call him directly instead of gossiping.

City & State reached out to Nieves after multiple sources said they heard Rivera’s daughter, former Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera, had moved into Fordham Hill, a development in her father’s district, and may be looking to succeed him. Some suggested the elder Rivera could win a primary, decline to run and sign his spot over to his daughter.

“Naomi does not live in Fordham Hill,” Nieves said. “(José Rivera) is not retiring. … He is in good health. And people should look at his numbers. He wins big.”

“It’s a bunch of people who can’t win an election trying to grasp at this,” Nieves continued, suggesting people were attempting to draw connections to the Bronx district attorney’s recent decision to step down after winning a primary, which allowed county Democrats to all but select a successor. “Whoever the jerk is that’s putting it out there can pick up the phone and call me.”

As of last Tuesday, Naomi Rivera’s voter registration card still listed an address within the district she once represented.