Orlando Rivera: Who Does Government Serve?

Orlando Rivera: Who Does Government Serve?

The Next Steps Show with Peter Vazquez
Episode: 731
Original broadcast: October 27, 2026
Guest: Orlando Rivera, Republican and Conservative candidate for New York State Senate District 56
Also featuring: Bob Savage and listener calls

Program-only transcript prepared from the October 27 broadcast transcription. Advertisements, unrelated news, and station breaks are omitted. Speaker labels are identified from the program context; some brief cross-talk remains unattributed. The source is automatically transcribed and may contain recognition errors. Timestamps reflect the source recording, not necessarily the edited podcast player.

Episode Transcript

Opening and introduction: Orlando Rivera

Show introduction (00:00:11)
In a world that seems to change daily, what will you do next? Welcome to the next steps show with Peter Vasquez, a starting point for discussion.

Peter Vazquez (00:00:39)
Sings with me, brother.

Bob Savage (00:00:40)
You gotta teach me some Spanish if I'm gonna be a national treasure, a bilingual national treasure.

Peter Vazquez (00:00:45)
Oh, that'll make you a a bilingual. Oh, I like that. Oh, don't you speak French?

Bob Savage (00:00:52)
Yeah. But, high school French, three years. 1966, don't remember much.

Peter Vazquez (00:00:59)
Although I think that still qualifies you as an international, see national treasure, sir.

Bob Savage (00:01:04)
You got a a a guest in the studio that you probably wanna introduce something.

Peter Vazquez (00:01:08)
He's another national treasure here locally, guys. Check that out. And one week away from election, they were absolutely gonna have the discussion as to what makes you, see, an individual that people should absolutely stop and say, hey. Who is this guy?

Orlando Rivera (00:01:23)
Perfect. And we hope

Peter Vazquez (00:01:24)
Orlando, let our listeners know who you are.

Orlando Rivera (00:01:27)
Sure. So lifelong Rochesterian, father. You know, I'm doing this because

Bob Savage (00:01:33)
And your name, please.

Orlando Rivera (00:01:35)
There you go. So Orlando Rivera, and I'm running for New York State Senate Perfect. In the 56 District. So that's the towns of Gates, Greece, Brighton, Henrietta, and the West Side of the city all the way to the Northwest Side of the city. And, again, I'm a a father, someone who cares about their community and cares about teaching their kids. I was raised by a single mother, so it's super important for me to be the father, that my kids need me to be.

Orlando Rivera (00:02:02)
And that's being present in my community and teaching them how they should be, productive citizens in their community.

Peter Vazquez (00:02:09)
Active duty members.

Bob Savage (00:02:10)
Hi. How old are your kids?

Orlando Rivera (00:02:11)
So I have, 16, 12, and 10.

Bob Savage (00:02:14)
Oh, great.

Peter Vazquez (00:02:15)
You know, I knew those guys when they were little tykes when I first met them. Although, I I I have to say Bob, thank you because that was the first testing questions today. See, how is he gonna respond when I say tell me who you are? I'm crazy. And I gave you empty answers. No. But you know what the cool thing about it is, though? Yeah. Orlando, you've been you've been around the community so much that so many people hear you, and they're like, yeah.

Peter Vazquez (00:02:38)
I know exactly who that guy is. But but you're not just a candidate. You're not just a dad. You're also the chairman of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association. We've had you on here before to talk about which after the elections, we're gonna have you on a gun to further those discussions. Right? You're also a commissioner on the city's civil service commission. Now I didn't know that before I prepped for today. Tell tell... I mean, I know what a commissioner is. Mhmm.

Peter Vazquez (00:03:04)
But but but tell me what that means. What is civil service commission and the demerrer point you?

Orlando Rivera (00:03:09)
Yes. So I was appointed by city council, and what we do... Yeah. What we do is we handle the HR aspects of government, so, any positions that are created. And we also deal directly with police, fire, and 911.

Peter Vazquez (00:03:29)
Mhmm. Yeah. You... When you say you deal with police, fire, and nine one one, how how do you deal with them? What does that mean?

Orlando Rivera (00:03:35)
So when it comes to candidates for each, for each, so nine one one, we listen to appeals, for those particular individuals, that may have been disqualified, you know, for that particular position. Okay. And we are charged with listening and then making decisions on whether or not they continue in the process or or not.

Peter Vazquez (00:04:00)
Oh, man. Orlando, I'm sorry. I gotta ask though, but does the PSP fall under that commission and It does not. Can we just get rid of it? It does not. Yeah. Oh, man. I'll tell you. I'll tell you. Crime crime crime is is is a crazy thing.

Public safety and criminal justice

Peter Vazquez (00:04:15)
And yesterday, we had a guest, or or second half of the show where we're talking about rehabilitation and and New York's, take on that when it comes to putting prisoners in jail because, you know, I wonder two things. We gotta hold people accountable, and I do believe that criminal justice in this state, is is mishandled... Misrepresented. And I think there's a big old agenda. We've talked about it before. Right?

Peter Vazquez (00:04:37)
You know, the whole political stuff between left and right and Right. And the socialist move to, for some reason, want more criminals on the road. But then again, who can you control better than people, that you bargained with? Kinda like doing the deal with the devils. But but you lived in these communities. You work in these communities, sir. Explain to me criminal justice. How do you view it? And when we talk about criminal justice reform, what does that mean to you?

Peter Vazquez (00:05:02)
Because if all we're doing is incarcerating people and saying... I mean, listen. I I guess if our criminal justice system is going to include executions and capping off hands like they do in other parts of the world, then I'd understand that. But if we're just gonna put somebody behind bars for six months, six years, a year, and then expect them to be different when they come out. So what's criminal justice reform to you, sir?

Orlando Rivera (00:05:27)
Yes. So I think what was done back in 2019, 2020 when they rolled out the... Those original reforms, I think they were well intended. But the problem is is that we've seen the results of those, and they're not good. We need to be having the conversation about trying to roll some of those reforms back. I don't know why our state legislature has been reticent to tackle that issue.

Orlando Rivera (00:06:01)
But, you know, for whatever reason, we are still, like, sitting in that same cycle where we see repeat offenders and we see a rise in domestic violence. You know, young people that are lost that, you know, need someone to wrap their arms around them. You know, it's not necessarily... You you know, a young kid commits a crime and, you know, maybe it's the first time, first crime they commit.

Orlando Rivera (00:06:28)
You you wanna be able to talk to that individual, wrap your arms around them, and said, hey. Listen. You know, I don't know what your situation is, but we need to have a conversation about where your life is headed if you don't straighten up.

Peter Vazquez (00:06:43)
Mhmm. You

Orlando Rivera (00:06:44)
did this once, you know, but we need to have that conversation. And then it needs to continue. And I know that the JEDS program is out there, and, you know, they they they tout that the recidivism rate is is low. But we see, you know, just repeated repeated crimes happening. And a lot of it's the young people because they know that it's a slap on the wrist, and they can go right back to doing what they were doing. And the punishment remains... There's no accountability.

Peter Vazquez (00:07:17)
Zero accountability.

Faith, family and community

Peter Vazquez (00:07:18)
Let me ask about faith because I... You know, again, I've known you. We've had conversations. We've had private conversations. I believe that you are a man who understands God, country, family. You understand the importance of, of of having a father in the home. Mhmm. But yet all our programs seem to minimize or or completely remove God. Right? There's no funding. As a matter of fact, the state frowns and we'll remove funding when we go down that route. Yeah.

Peter Vazquez (00:07:49)
There's no push for, for, you know, those big signs that says, hey. Is the lottery is $28,000,000 or whatever? But but there's none that says things like you're... You mad or you're worth it. You know, dads love you too. Nothing like that.

Peter Vazquez (00:08:04)
Can you as a state legislator in the senate move legislation to kinda start changing and and and moving policy more around a, family centric, maybe a God country family with God at the forefront, or is that impossible on our senate these days?

Orlando Rivera (00:08:20)
I don't think it's impossible. I think we need to start having that conversation, but I think it needs to also be by example. The more people see it, the more they will gravitate towards it. I think pulling back on it is what has us in this situation currently. And I have no issues about telling people, you know, that I am a man of faith, that I love my family, and I love my kids, and I want them to live the right way.

Orlando Rivera (00:08:48)
And I think as adults, it's important for us to understand kids are going to make mistakes, but we need to prep them. We need that to be having the conversations as they grow up, not after they grow up. These things need to be instilled in them at an early age.

Peter Vazquez (00:09:05)
Yeah. Very much so. Frederick Douglass, I believe it was, or or one of the great from the past said, you raise them right when they're young. They become men that you don't have to repair. And I know I'm paraphrasing that, but that has been proven over. You know? And, you know, our fair, we were talking, you know, a a little bit of race and and culture and identification.

Peter Vazquez (00:09:24)
And I said one of the things that really bothers me with a lot of the messages that are being put out there by some of the leaders in the Hispanic community, for example, is that we have to accept this, well, this, this presentation of our culture through people like Bad Bunny or or, or who's that other guy, god, I'm a... I forgot the rapper's name when they do some of those songs. But that's what they expect. I mean, people call me, oh, you're a white guy stuck.

Peter Vazquez (00:09:50)
But but why do Hispanic leaders do that? We should be promoting God, country, and family. I mean, one, we're Americans. Yes. Two, our culture, our our mom and dad at home. Mhmm. Right? Because there is a mom and dad for the most part, or at least it used to be that way in Puerto Rico. Right? Yep. And the lineage that we come from promotes those values. Where did it change in our community? I... I'd I'd say politics changed it.

Peter Vazquez (00:10:12)
The lack of church involvement changed it, or at least the the the the church involvement in politics for funding.

Orlando Rivera (00:10:19)
Yeah. Our acceptance of what we are not is what helped get us here.

Unidentified speaker (00:10:26)
Mhmm.

Orlando Rivera (00:10:27)
You know, I think that if we... Again, by example, and this just just simply being parents, just simply being a good community member by talking about those things, holding forums, listening to people. If you listen to what people have to say in our community, you will you will understand that most folks are not that different. Like, the differences that we believe we have, we don't. It's just interesting to to have those conversations.

Peter Vazquez (00:10:59)
It would be great to be in a position where we can take the information that we gather for non... From those forums. I mean, we look at, organizations that we've been part of, like, what is it called? La Cumbre, whatever it's called today. You've got, Jen Lunford, a representative, and the mayor who are holding more roundtables and domestic violence that they're saying it's the only one issue we have left to resolve kind of stuff. And I'm like, well, wait a minute.

Peter Vazquez (00:11:22)
You know, we've been talking. I'm 54 years old. All I hear is talk. You know, before we go to break, I wanna address one big issue, then I wanna get right into your platform, the three keys that you have, and, obviously, that's gonna be the question of immigration, sir. Yes. Where do you stand on on what's going on? I mean, in Mount Morris, the community lost what they considered a front. Mhmm. I understand the justifications. You know, that hit home. Right?

Peter Vazquez (00:11:46)
And then now people are like, well, wait a minute. Talk to us how we deal with immigration.

Immigration and accountability

Peter Vazquez (00:11:50)
You're a brown guy. Right? You grew up here. I'm sure people are saying, how can you possibly agree with with with with the the deportation of people with last names like ours and your skin color?

Orlando Rivera (00:12:01)
Yeah. So I'll, I'll tell a personal story to kinda help relate this. So I used to work in migrant education, and it was a interesting education in how our immigration system worked. And what I experienced was, you know, a a a system where, at the time, I believe there was some sort of amnesty that was mentioned that was coming for the agricultural workers. And people were still stepping on pins and needles or walking, I should say, as far as that was concerned.

Orlando Rivera (00:12:39)
And I think it's important to make sure that as human beings, we all should have dignity. But when it comes to dangerous repeat offenders, I do believe, you know, if if you're a problem, it needs to be corrected. Like, there there there has to be some sort of accountability. And I do understand largely if you have the conversation with a lot of the people that come over here, to to work, the the agricultural workers, They came on a visa and they overstated.

Peter Vazquez (00:13:14)
Mhmm.

Orlando Rivera (00:13:14)
And they overstated purposely,

Unidentified speaker (00:13:17)
you

Orlando Rivera (00:13:17)
know, because they wanted to stay the opportunity that we have. I believe there should be some sort of, program to amnesty for these folks. But at the same time, you know, we need to hold the dangerous folks accountable.

Peter Vazquez (00:13:31)
You know what really gets me is that there's organizations here in Rochester, New York that receive a lot of state and federal dollars, right, that are intended for the purpose of helping people become citizens, learn Englishes, become Americans, God, country, and family. Ladies and gentlemen, meet up in studio. We have Orlando Rivera, republican and conservative candidate for the New York State Senate District 56. Lines are open. (585) 346-3000. (866) 552-1009.

Peter Vazquez (00:13:59)
I'll be right back right here. See? On the voice of Liberty Network.

Listener call: Keith and political differences

[Station break, advertisements and/or news omitted.]

Peter Vazquez (00:15:15)
Mark 10 verse forty three and forty four sees... He says this, but so shall it not be among you, but whatsoever will be great among you, right, shall be your minister and who and whosoever of you will be the chiefest.

Unidentified speaker (00:15:32)
That would be like an elected official, Orlando. Right?

Peter Vazquez (00:15:35)
Shall be the servant of all. And that last part of that verse is something that every single elected individual seems to forget for some reason. Keith, thank you for calling the Next Step Show, brother.

Keith (caller) (00:15:47)
To the three of you in the studio as I would with many people, I'll give all three of you, would be a credit that you've each attained your would be success is because, hopefully, you soundly dealt with the r word of reality to the guest. You greatly misstated the current condition in America, when you said that, most people differ a little bit. It's almost like Republicans and and Democrats can be chummy because we we love America, but we just differ a little bit.

Keith (caller) (00:16:24)
We, say to each other, we're Republican, Democrat. I I just wanna tweak you a bit and that, most people are good. He... That... That's not the real America today. Many Americans have fallen away from God, and many Americans today bluntly are flat out corrupt. You're you're you're the guest. You're you're just not dealing with reality. The... Another r word, the revolutionaries from New York City whom now, helped make up the near super Democrat majority in Albany.

Keith (caller) (00:17:02)
They wanna be bad. It's just like when Obama said about energy prices. No. You don't get it. We want Americans to pay high energy prices. We wanna change things around that drastically. We... I, Obama, don't want Americans to be, comfortable in their skins. By example, when it comes to energy related messages, we have a narrative here, us dems. And if it means Americans have to suffer energy wise and in other areas of their life, gosh darn.

Keith (caller) (00:17:37)
That's what the Democrats are gonna do. They are revolutionaries. Many of them, the the social Democrats, the Marxists, they hate our country. And I would really like the guests to address, realistically, we are not gonna be able to deal with deal with these people that are chubby, oh, I love you basis. The doctor says when I call in like this, everyone in the audience, Keith does not mean what he said.

Keith (caller) (00:18:06)
Well, I do need what I said and say, and I want the three of you in the audience to be realistic to say we have revolutionaries now in the government in Albany who hate America. They want Americans, especially white Americans, to pay. Yeah. They get to answer honestly. If you're running for office, things have changed. We are no longer a God fearing country, and many, many Americans today are flat out corrupt.

Peter Vazquez (00:18:36)
Or or a law fearing country. Keith, I appreciate the call. That was a lot. I'm gonna let Orlando answer. I'm assuming it's gonna take, but I wanna further that a little bit. See? Because he used the word reality, which is true. Right? We we we need to discuss, and this is basic strategy one zero one. Yeah. If you if you can't look at what's in front of you and have the discussion of race, have the discussion of religion and politics and the differences on there.

Peter Vazquez (00:19:00)
But he used the word that caught my attention, and that was revolutionary. Now you see, this country, in my opinion, was built on a revolution. It was built by people saying, wait a minute. We're gonna stop. See, and that concerns me that someone like Keith is seeing what's going on now and calling it a revolution because he's right. Mhmm. And that description is scary because now we have the democratic socialist of America who who is... I mean, you've got Elsa...

Peter Vazquez (00:19:27)
I think it's Elsa. Yeah. Going right now to every single mosque in his district, encouraging people who hate this nation to vote for him. Right? Then we've got socialism. We've got... And we talked about this before, not just the DSA. You've got Americanos and Americanas out there that look like us. People like AOC influencing. Say, you should do all this. He wasn't wrong. Mhmm. We can't commingle. How do you respond to him?

Discussion: public engagement and values

Peter Vazquez (00:19:56)
Under condition of America, to be specific.

Orlando Rivera (00:19:58)
Yeah. Yeah. I think a lot of it is that as conservatives, we've retreated quite a bit, and I think that's part of the problem. I think, again, having those conversations being out in front of people saying this is what this is what we we represent. This is what we believe as opposed to acquiescing. I think we just need to continue those... Having those conversations, and that is realistic to get out in front of people and say, hey. Listen.

Orlando Rivera (00:20:27)
This is what I represent, and it's not wrong. You know, we just need to continue to further that more conservative, narrative, that more conservative mission.

Bob Savage (00:20:40)
Hey, Orlando. You say, conservatives have retreated. What what do you mean specifically by that?

Orlando Rivera (00:20:46)
I think that when we've seen, like, the rise of socialism in in our society, we haven't You

Bob Savage (00:20:54)
think that's a conservative thing?

Orlando Rivera (00:20:57)
We haven't pushed back enough. I I couldn't agree with that. To when it comes to god, family, country, freedom. I think we need to be a little bit more upfront about... Listen. It's important to be talking to our kids. It's important that we need to make sure that, you know, folks aren't, you know, falling by the wayside. All these things, like, all those conservative values, those are the things that I hold dear, and that's what I represent when I'm out in the community.

Orlando Rivera (00:21:31)
I'm trying to be positive, but yet still, you know, realistic about what's happening. There are some conversations that are happening where people are starting to wake up, but, you know, at the very least, we need to continue that that work and that mission.

Bob Savage (00:21:46)
What's the best way we can, what's the best tactic we could use to wake people up? Well,

Peter Vazquez (00:21:53)
can can I add something to that if I may? Yeah. Just because, you know, I was thinking about this. And I'm glad you asked that question, Bob, because, see, we, especially in the Hispanic culture, okay, and and many other communities you are reaching in young Americans, there's this, which is why I brought up earlier people like AOC.

Bob Savage (00:22:10)
Mhmm.

Peter Vazquez (00:22:10)
There's this, and and people like Bad Bunny and and some of those others. Right? There's this bootylicious type of mentality. What I see, I like. Yeah. What I see, I wanna go after, and it makes me feel so good and more man cheese out. We've talked about this. The sins, right, that sink us, and we can get biblical on this as well. But that's the messaging that you're up against. That the profanity. Right? We're talking about conservative God, country family values. Right?

Peter Vazquez (00:22:36)
Uh-uh, your opponent and and those on his side are talking about go after it because you deserve it. How do you beat that? That's that's the strategy that we need because that's what been beating us.

Orlando Rivera (00:22:49)
Yeah. Yep. I think we need to, again, go back. It all goes back to family. We need to promote those familial values when we're talking to people. Like, be in front of people with our families, with our kids, talking to our kids, having those conversations. We need to let it be intentional about it because that's what the other side is doing. They're out there talking about it. They're they're in people's faces. And you do see some more conservative folks like, Kirk Cameron.

Orlando Rivera (00:23:21)
He's out there, you know, pushing more of the... That wholesome conservative narrative, and he's doing it in a different way. And it doesn't resonate with everybody, but it resonates with, you know, I think a a a good many. We need to... I like the use of the word realistic, but I think we also need to honor, like, those values by by doing them the justice that that we need to. When that comes to... When it...

Orlando Rivera (00:23:52)
If that means just, you know, walking out in front of people and doing and doing what we need to do as far as that's concerned.

Peter Vazquez (00:24:02)
And late... Absolutely. Ladies and gentlemen, Mira, the city of Rochester and all these towns like Priest Gates. All of those meet at, they have a history of innovation and entrepreneurship, and we've got Orlando Rivera, candidate for state senate district fifty six. When we come back, Orlando, I'm gonna ask you, see, what are you actually gonna do? And we're gonna talk about what you're advertising.

Peter Vazquez (00:24:24)
We'll be right back right here in the next step show in the voice of liberty from Peter Vasquez, Orlando,

Bob Savage (00:24:29)
and the national treasure, and Bobby d.

Return from break and election accountability

Bob Savage (00:30:39)
We're back in here. 58534663000. If you like to join the conversation with,

Peter Vazquez (00:30:44)
Peter and Orlando. Son. Because community, because character, because the call to service, ladies and gentlemen, is the discussion that we're gonna be having all week this week. Actually, every single day from now till election day, guys, because it's this important. See, we are one week, away from election day. Right? Early voting is happening. And meet a New York is throughout this entire state.

Peter Vazquez (00:31:10)
We've got important decisions to make Orlando, and that is Orlando Rivera, conservative Republican candidate for the New York State Senate fifty sixth district. Mhmm. We have, Anna Tillefinau, the honorable, one of my favorite people there.

Orlando Rivera (00:31:24)
Hey.

Peter Vazquez (00:31:25)
Mike Hennessy. Senior, thank you for calling the Next Step Show.

Listener call: Mike Hennessy

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:31:29)
Hey, Peter. Hi, Orlando, Bob. How are you guys doing?

Bob Savage (00:31:33)
Hunky doer. How are you?

Peter Vazquez (00:31:34)
The guy saving little people lives every day, man.

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:31:38)
Hey. Hey, man, man. God's good.

Peter Vazquez (00:31:40)
Hey. Do you ever get tired?

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:31:41)
To cover. Of course. I'm... I just I just woke up from my nap.

Peter Vazquez (00:31:46)
Ah, but, hey. God keeps you going, though.

Unidentified speaker (00:31:50)
Amen. Okay.

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:31:51)
I just wanted to cover the topic of, you know, you know, Keith brought up the reality of things and how we have to, you know, yes. We have to be civil, but we have to be strong. And and I think that's that's where Orlando was starting to go to. We have to be happy warriors out there. We have to be civil, but we but we have to be strong. And and, you know, it's, you know, we're we're we're told to give the truth in love. So it's it's it's both.

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:32:23)
We have to be be able to stand up and give the truth the way we see it and and and do it in a way that, an unbeliever can receive it. You know, that's what good news talk is all about. So upgrading, connecting faith to the marketplace. Any any spirituality that that is irrelevant in the world is irrelevant. It has to be... Your... Our faith has to be relevant in the world or it's irrelevant in my in my view.

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:32:50)
And, you know, people that listen to my show hear too often that, you know, the church is retreated. That's where the retreat has started in the church because we bought into the false, premise of separation of church and state, and pastors don't wanna talk politics. So... Because they don't wanna lose somebody.

Peter Vazquez (00:33:09)
Well Or something.

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:33:10)
You know, if you lose somebody for speaking the truth of God, then God will put 10 more people to replace that person. You know? And I think that's true in culture. We don't wanna get canceled. We don't wanna put things out there that are our truth, our own, philosophical and spiritual truth because we don't wanna be canceled by somebody. And if and if we get canceled by somebody, whether it's friends, family, or work, over what we truly believe in our heart and heart...

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:33:36)
Hearts, we have to be okay with that. Cancel me. I'm out. But but but god didn't cancel me. You know? I I... We operate for an audience of one at the end of the day. And I don't care who cancels me. I don't care who fires me. I don't care who doesn't come to my church. If I'm speaking the word of God the way he gave it to me to say it and I do it in love and with a civil dialogue, then, you know, I love you and I'll miss you. And we gotta be willing to let people go.

Peter Vazquez (00:34:04)
You know you know what really gets me, like like, really burns me guys, is when I hear someone who carries a title of faith, who says I'm gonna influence you and guide you in the name of Jesus Christ and in the name of God. Right? And they're gonna say, let's pray for this. But when then this doesn't happen, that same leader starts saying, well well, you know, well, wait a minute, though. Maybe we, you know, maybe something.

Peter Vazquez (00:34:28)
And and it always resolves around something that has to be tangible, like money. Mike, can I see one quick question before we go? Is is Yep. Is this year's election, right, is it imperative for us to set everything aside, pray first, get to know the people that are running first, and ask God for discernment and emotional intelligence this year?

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:34:50)
Amen. Amen. I mean, there's there's spiritual warfare going on out there. And, we've got, you know, there used to be a line between politics and evil. And and... But that line is no longer there. The DSA and the Marxist and the communist are the party and and and they're becoming Democrats and they are Democrats. It's the party of anti Christ. It's the party of anti god. Every one of their platforms is against biblical principles. It is... Don't believe me. Just just put...

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:35:19)
Just go look at their platform.

Peter Vazquez (00:35:20)
It is undeniable. Pastor, I'm gonna let you go. I'm gonna get back to Orlando. But before you hang up, I wanna ask you one last thing, sir. We've got pastors out there that are listening, throughout this, throughout this nation, throughout the world, actually, pastor, and I find you to be one of the most, wise people that I know. Can you share with those pastors briefly just how can they be that warrior grounded in Christ fearlessly like you do?

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:35:48)
Take the word of God and apply it to our culture.

Peter Vazquez (00:35:52)
It's that simple.

Mike Hennessy (caller) (00:35:53)
That's all you gotta do. You already know the worldly... Word of God, but you've gotta be able to connect it to our culture. And when you do that, you can do it civilly. You can do it in love, and the people are gonna get it because the truth is gonna resonate at the spirits of the people. We just have to be willing to give the word of God and connect it to the culture.

Peter Vazquez (00:36:11)
Mike Kennessy, ladies and gentlemen, host right here on the Voice of Liberty of Good News Talks. See, Saturdays at 02:00, he's also...

Unidentified speaker (00:36:19)
Pastor Ken Todd.

Peter Vazquez (00:36:21)
He's also executive director of Youth for Christ Rochester. I love you, brother. We'll be talking soon.

Unidentified speaker (00:36:30)
He's gone. Ken Todd.

Peter Vazquez (00:36:32)
We got him. Oh, we got him.

Bob Savage (00:36:32)
We got him. Pastor Ken Todd is, on the line. Hey, pastor. Welcome to the show.

Peter Vazquez (00:36:37)
Another strong leader in our community.

Listener call: Pastor Ken Todd

Peter Vazquez (00:36:38)
Pastor, thank you.

Pastor Ken Todd (caller) (00:36:42)
Oh, man. Great show. This really rings true to my heart. What's up? Really brought some memories. You know, when I was a kid, one of my favorite movies to watch as a young child, and I'm gonna date myself, was Johnny Tremaine and the Sons of Liberty. And I remember back when even Disney put on that show, I remember everybody dressing up like Indians going into the Boston Harbor and just uprooting all the tea, throwing it out into the into the bay.

Pastor Ken Todd (caller) (00:37:11)
And I thought to myself, today, what are we willing to do to stand up to make our voice known known? I think we're living in a generation of people who don't like confrontation. And because they don't like confrontation, they sit back and accept it as status quo, and it's... So that seemingly is okay. And it's not. I think we need to get back to having a backbone standing over what always true and what we know is right.

Pastor Ken Todd (caller) (00:37:39)
And one thing I keep telling people, you can love somebody without condoning where they stand or what they believe. We have to show love, but that doesn't mean we have to accept and agree with where they stand. We can have a civil conversation. That's part of being an adult, being being mature. And we find that so many people just will shrink back and say, well, I can't do anything about it, so I'm just gonna do nothing.

Pastor Ken Todd (caller) (00:38:01)
And I think to Mike Kennedy's point, a lot of pastors don't know what to do because it's been ingrained in our brains for so many years that you can't talk politics. And I'm learning in later stages of life as a pastor that, yes, I can, and I'm going to.

Peter Vazquez (00:38:15)
Yeah. I've been going through my opinion. True. Yes. Ladies and gentlemen, that is pastor Kent. Pastor, you're at Harvest Bible... Excuse Harvest

Pastor Ken Todd (caller) (00:38:26)
Full fellowship on Cochins Road, Henrietta.

Peter Vazquez (00:38:28)
I encourage people to visit. I know I do. Pastor, thank you for the call. Orlando.

Pastor Ken Todd (caller) (00:38:34)
You're welcome, sir.

Peter Vazquez (00:38:36)
Two pastors took the time. These are these are aren't aren't quiet. These are Jose Rodriguez at Bible Baptist Temple level kind of pastors. The ones that aren't joking. Mhmm. Right? And you know what I'm talking about. These are our ambassadors out there who are saying no mas.

Orlando Rivera (00:38:50)
Yes.

Peter Vazquez (00:38:50)
They're they're they're they're holding their own congregations Yep. Accountable. You know what that means for you. Right? Yeah. Alright, sir. We went to break saying, what will you actually do to make our community better? Right? And then now you have also to answer a bigger charge because God's got you on the hot seat

Unidentified speaker (00:39:09)
now, not just me. Sure.

Peter Vazquez (00:39:10)
We'll be right back right here in the... That show, ladies and gentlemen. And in case you didn't know, Harry, today is cranky coworker day celebrated. We'll be right back.

The Senate race and governing priorities

Bob Savage (00:41:11)
Brought to you daily Monday through Friday by YFC Rochester, youthforchrist rochester.org. And we have a few minutes left here with, Peter in Orlando. If you wanna join the conversation at (585) 346-3000.

Peter Vazquez (00:41:25)
And we're on social media. See Facebook, Twitter, hacks, all of the media. We're there. YouTube. Leave a comment. Leave a message. Share it with your friends, and you could always see... Communicate there. Send me a text. Orlando Rivera, sir. You are the conservative Republican candidate for the Senate District 5656. You're a community guy. Right? Your your your your website says that you are a conservative Republican moderate. Your your platform stands on economic opportunity.

Peter Vazquez (00:41:59)
It stands on education, and it stands on public safety. Yes. First thing, we've got twelve minutes, so I wanna make sure we hit all of them. Yep. Right? Republican or conservative Republican moderate. It's almost like an oxymoron. Tell me how that works, and how does it play into all of these, policies because I like everything you got there.

Peter Vazquez (00:42:18)
And the thing is this, I pick on you about the, you know, the the moderate part in there, but but the thing is we can't be 100 anywhere Yes. Because people aren't 100% anywhere.

Orlando Rivera (00:42:28)
Exactly. Yeah. And there's gonna be people that aren't gonna... You know, we're not... They're not gonna agree, you know, with that platform or how, you know, I interact. But I stand on my own faith and principle and, you know, how I was raised. And I was, again, raised by a single mother who taught me to show up every day, but also I learned compassion. And I think that's part of, you know, faith and compassion because Jesus showed that.

Peter Vazquez (00:43:02)
Mhmm.

Orlando Rivera (00:43:03)
And it is upon us to show that same compassion and treat humans with dignity where it is warranted.

Peter Vazquez (00:43:11)
So Rochester Metro... Rochester Metropolitan unemployment, that's the entire Rochester Metro Area, you know, including all the burbs and everything. Mhmm. That unemployment stood at about 4.2% in August. The area's median, residential listing price was approximately 298,000. That's what they're calling affordable, by the way. Your platform emphasizes reducing regulatory burdens. I love it. Tax relief, I love it.

Peter Vazquez (00:43:35)
Skilled trades training, I love it not to discount college because I am my book guy.

Economic opportunity and workforce training

Peter Vazquez (00:43:40)
Yeah. I mean, I I I like getting my brain dirty, not my hands dirty. Isn't that something? And responsible housing development. Right? Yeah. So from your experience in working with business, with entrepreneurs, I mean, again, you lead the Hispanic... One of the larger Hispanic, business associations around. What are the biggest obstacles to economic growth in a region, and what are you gonna do to change it at the state level?

Orlando Rivera (00:44:04)
And so capital is a huge problem when it comes to businesses. They... If they're trying to operate, they're doing it without the cash they need to get started and to continue to move. So that's that's an issue. I think that what my plan is is to help create economic opportunity, from a training standpoint. So that means building relationships with employers. It's partnering with community colleges and to be able to help folks thrive.

Orlando Rivera (00:44:37)
Because when the Kodaks and the Xeroxes of the world left us, we didn't replace those jobs. So now we find ourselves in the situation where we need to rebuild, and it's not instantaneous, but we need to put the framework into place. And part of that is making sure we're training the next workforce, to be able to do that and giving them hope. So what I believe that to be is in the form of... Like you said, not everybody's cut out for college.

Orlando Rivera (00:45:05)
And I think you can make a great living, as an electrician, a plumber, doing HVAC work. And we need... We have folks that are ready, willing, and able to do that, but they need the know how. They need the certification, and we just need to put that framework in place.

Orlando Rivera (00:45:23)
But we also need to have the relationships to be able to do it, And we can put kids through, you know, job readiness training, work experience, you know, those sorts of things and get them prepped and ready. And if we start looking at that now, we can have that in place to be able to be, productive as we move forward.

Peter Vazquez (00:45:44)
Absolutely. And there's a lot of kids and a lot of young adults and a lot of people that would be very interested in something like that, especially if we can show the receipts.

Policy differences, spending and health coverage

Peter Vazquez (00:45:52)
Alright. So I asked you about your your your party identification or your political identification because the incumbent has, I mean, he's emphasized. Right? He's done this forever. Expanding children's health coverage, continued public investment in education, transportation improvements, state supported economic development.

Peter Vazquez (00:46:11)
Sir, you know, again, as a as a moderate conservative Republican, what approaches were you gonna take, or or or how should voters recognize, I guess, the difference between your policies and your opponent's policies?

Orlando Rivera (00:46:25)
Yeah. So being middle road, I I still look at, bottom line is cost and fiscal responsibility. So how much is it gonna cost taxpayers? Are we robbing Peter to pay Paul when we're looking at a lot of these policies? We don't wanna Sure.

Peter Vazquez (00:46:43)
Folks are robbing Peter.

Orlando Rivera (00:46:47)
And, you know, when it... When you take a look at a lot of things that are being proposed, it's off the backs of taxpayers.

Peter Vazquez (00:46:55)
Mhmm.

Orlando Rivera (00:46:56)
And we have to be realistic about something that doesn't exist in creating that framework. You know, we need to to look at what that's going to cost us. So as an example, it was mentioned that, you know, we want to try and propose or has been universal, health care for children, you know, on 19 on down. And in in my in my thought process, how is that... How is it reasonable? How is that possible?

Orlando Rivera (00:47:24)
It sounds nice, but how is it feasible given the fact that, you know, in in my world with the three kids that I have

Unidentified speaker (00:47:33)
Mhmm.

Orlando Rivera (00:47:33)
We're at the doctors constantly. Mhmm. You know, they play sports. So by default, they're gonna have injuries. And then also you have to wonder if the, providers are going to accept that insurance because they've all... But since said, oh, you know, we're not gonna accept this. We're not gonna accept this. And so now you're at this particular provider that you may not want to be at, but it's what your insurance affords

Peter Vazquez (00:48:00)
you. You know, we we have discussions here and and throughout this nation about people having to make choices between paying rent or paying this and all that other stuff. But one conversation no one really has brought up, including me, I guess, is that parents are also having to make the decision, of dealing with their child in a in a manner that is correct. And I'm not saying they're not abusive parents. Right?

Orlando Rivera (00:48:23)
Yeah.

Peter Vazquez (00:48:24)
Are not leaving the courts. And the thing is because, a mom and a dad may not be able to afford health care. Right? Or... And and they make just enough because this is the way the state works Right. Where they don't get the public service.

Orlando Rivera (00:48:38)
Yeah.

Peter Vazquez (00:48:39)
Now the kid who fell in the snow or on the ice and his shoulder hurts, maybe he has a fracture. Even hairline isn't gonna get checked. And the thing is I see that, and those are the decisions. Do I get the $3,000 hospital bill, or do I feed my kid? You know, do I pay the $700 a week, through my employer health? But we used to have a great system. It was called Child Health Plus. I used it. I I was a single father. I raised my boys with it. I paid into it. Yeah.

Peter Vazquez (00:49:06)
It wasn't free, but it was affordable. Mhmm. Your opponent says that... Or had introduced legislation to expand the child health coverage regardless of household income. We know that that's not feasible. But yet, in New York City, the DSA, people there and the governor who's now their their their coach buddies, right, is saying that they're gonna have universal health care across most of New York City or all of it and throughout the state at some point in the future.

Peter Vazquez (00:49:34)
You're gonna be sitting in the state senate. A bill is gonna be coming your way. What can you do to stop it? Vote no. Vote no. What's the alternative, though? Because we do need help in this

Orlando Rivera (00:49:44)
Oh, absolutely. Reach there. I I think that that's a conversation, and and this is what's lost, I believe, with a lot of elected officials, is having the conversation with the people that have the knowledge that you need to move forward. And we just make decisions as a state without talking to everyone. And then the public safety reforms is a really good example of that, like ignoring what what you were told by an expert.

Orlando Rivera (00:50:12)
So I think that we need to have a commission of sorts to talk about, you know, what what can we do to, help alleviate the burden when it comes to, medical benefits and and an insurance?

State budget and housing concerns

Peter Vazquez (00:50:28)
New York State enacted a fiscal twenty twenty seven budget. It was estimated at 277,000,000,000. The state controller identified 31,800,000,000, in cumulative projected future budget gaps. You know, again, their own language doesn't make sense, but, homeownership, senor. And and the thing is my father always taught me that he who owns, controls. Right?

Peter Vazquez (00:50:54)
So so so the the concept of public support, especially anything beyond here, I needed it to help right at this moment from a friend or a church or a community program that, you know, that that that has some some donations that they can help you with. Right? Yeah. But but homeownership seems to have become a bad word in in our state. Yeah. But what what... Can you... Do you by chance... I mean, I'm I'm assuming preparing for a run for senate. You've ran before.

Peter Vazquez (00:51:21)
Well, do you know the... I mean, what's the incentive? And why is it that our community, especially in the black and brown community, especially in the black community, right, we understand what happens when government takes land away from you or doesn't allow you to procure it?

Orlando Rivera (00:51:36)
Yes. Yeah. I I 100% agree with you. It's... And that conversation has still permeated, you know, the the minority, community when it comes to homeownership versus renting. And I think it's just the the lifestyle has been, you know, so so deep that, you know, folks haven't had those conversations. Like, we're... We live in a society where what... Where our parents didn't accomplish, we don't accomplish. You know, that... That's the the the message coming back.

Orlando Rivera (00:52:11)
Like, let's stay where we're at because this is what I know. This is what I'm familiar with.

Peter Vazquez (00:52:17)
But I grew up in a world where you didn't compete with parents. You you you enhanced it. You got older. You know, parents wanted boys to help till the land because eventually, dad's gonna die and that land's gonna become his and life goes on and and and and goes.

Closing: accountability and contact information

Peter Vazquez (00:52:32)
Anyways, we're getting towards the end of the show. I wanna leave some time for you to share your contact. Always remember here and me and the things that I do. Right? Putting people first isn't just a mantra. That's not a campaign slogan for me. Right. I believe that, at the at at at the voice of liberty and the next step show and all shows, we measure results. Right? Not mantra. Website, how can people learn more about you?

Peter Vazquez (00:52:55)
When you're elected on November 3, how can we hold you accountable?

Orlando Rivera (00:52:59)
So website is orlandojrivera.com, and I plan to hold myself accountable by being out in the community as I do. I show up every day, and that's what I do. I'm not a stranger to public service. I've just never had a vote in Albany, but the good people of District 56 can change that on November 3.

Peter Vazquez (00:53:20)
Ladies and gentlemen, check it. Government should never become more important than God, than country, than family. The honorable Orlando Rivera candidate, conservative Republican for the Senate 56th District. God bless you, sir. Likewise. Be a leader. Be a leader. Be a leader. God bless this United States Of America and never let a second go by where you are not a voice for liberty and go vote.

End of October 27, 2026, program transcript.