Kristen McDonald Rivet

Kristen McDonald Rivet
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 35th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Preceded byCurt VanderWall
Personal details
Born
Kristen McDonald

(1970-07-11) July 11, 1970 (age 53)
Portland, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJoseph Rivet
Children6
RelativesKaren McDonald (sister)
EducationMichigan State University (BA)
University of Michigan, Flint (MA)

Kristen McDonald Rivet (born July 11, 1970) is an American politician who is a member of the Michigan Senate for the 35th district. She was elected in November 2022 and took office on January 1, 2023.

Early life and education[edit]

McDonald Rivet was born on July 11, 1970 in Portland, Michigan,[1] where she was raised with her fraternal twin sister Karen McDonald. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in education and public administration from the University of Michigan–Flint.[2]

Career[edit]

Prior to entering politics, McDonald Rivet served as chief of staff for State Superintendent Michael P. Flanagan and was vice president of the Skillman Foundation.[3] Her first political position was in the Charter Commission for Bay City, MI.[4] McDonald Rivet followed that up by serving as a member of the Bay City Commission, representing the city's 2nd ward.[5] She was elected to the Michigan Senate in November 2022, defeating Republican state Representative Annette Glenn.[6][7] She has declared her candidacy to run for the United States House of Representatives Michigan 8th District to replace the retiring Dan Kildee in the 2024 Democratic primary.[8]

Personal life[edit]

McDonald Rivet and her husband, Joseph Rivet, have six children.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Michigan Legislative Biography - Kristen McDonald Rivet". Library of Michigan. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  2. ^ Chalk, Dan (2022-09-30). "McDonald Rivet, Glenn share views in 35th State Senate District race". Midland Daily News. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  3. ^ "Kristen McDonald". Detroit Regional Chamber. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  4. ^ Dodson, Andrew (2017-11-13). "Here are the elected members of the Bay City Charter Commission". mlive. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  5. ^ "Michigan Legislature is up for grabs: These are races to watch on Election Day | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  6. ^ Chalk, Dan (2022-11-09). "McDonald Rivet defeats Glenn for 35th District state senate seat". Midland Daily News. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  7. ^ "Kristen McDonald Rivet". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  8. ^ Pasciolla, Isabelle (2024-01-04). "Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet celebrates Congressional run announcement; receives union endorsement". Midland Daily News. Retrieved 2024-01-09.