Julio Rivera serves as a Council Representative for Councilmember Marti Emerald in the communities of City Heights and Southeastern San Diego. He is also the Councilmember's Intern Coordinator and handles her ceremonial procedures. Julio is the current treasurer of the Chicano Democratic Association, an organization dedicated to increasing the political participation of Latinos.

A native San Diegan, Julio was raised in East County. He attended San Diego State University where he earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Latin American Studies. During his studies, Julio interned for Feeding America San Diego where he focused on helping eligible individuals access Calfresh benefits.

In 2011, Julio was chosen for The Center on Policy Initiatives’ Students for Economic Justice program. He later worked on campaigns for the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, and a California State Assembly race. Julio also spent a year working in Councilmember David Alvarez’s office as his policy fellow where he worked on passage of the Property Value Protection Ordinance. In 2013, Julio was Myrtle Cole’s Field Manager on her successful City Council campaign.