Summary
Luz Maria Rivas (born February 6, 1974) is an American politician from the state of California. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the member-elect to the United States House of Representatives for California’s 29th congressional district.
Rivas previously served in the California State Assembly from 2018 to 2024, representing California’s 43rd State Assembly district.
OnAir Post: Luz Maria Rivas CA-29
About
Source: Campaign Site
Luz Rivas is an engineer, educator and public servant from the San Fernando Valley.
Luz’s First Communion at Mary Immaculate Church in PacoimaLuz grew up in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.
Luz’s parents immigrated from Mexico. She grew up in Pacoima with a single mother that worked multiple jobs to support her daughters. Initially, the family rented a room in a house, and later lived in a converted garage and back houses throughout the Valley. Her mother took night classes to learn English and office skills.
Luz attended Los Angeles public schools.
Her fifth grade teacher at Telfair Elementary School in Pacoima encouraged her to learn about computers. This is where Luz first became interested in a STEM career.
At Pacoima Junior High, she continued taking computer science classes.
Luz attended San Fernando High School where she graduated with honors. At SFHS, she continued pursuing STEM classes and participated in drill team, leadership, and other extra curricular activities while also working two jobs to help her mom pay for rent and food.
Luz is a graduate of MIT and Harvard
After high school, Luz attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After college she worked as an electrical engineer for Motorola. Her passion to get kids interested in engineering led her to pursue a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
In 2012, Luz founded DIY Girls
As the founder of DIY (Do it Yourself) Girls, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls in the San Fernando Valley become interested in science and engineering, Luz has helped set thousands of young women on the path towards economic empowerment, independence, and self-confidence. Many of those girls are now graduating from college, ready and able to embark on careers that will benefit their families and communities.
Since 2018, Luz has served in the California State Legislature representing the 43rd Assembly District
During Luz’s time in the Assembly, her priority has been to uplift and empower underrepresented communities. She has been successful as a leader in delivering substantive policy and has been recognized for her leadership by labor unions, business organizations and community organizations. Luz has advocated for environmental justice through her role as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. Luz was elected by her peers to serve as Chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation.
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Politics
Source: Wikipedia
Following Raul Bocanegra’s resignation from the California Assembly, Rivas declared her candidacy in the special election to succeed him. Rivas won the special election on June 5, 2018, and was sworn into office on June 11.
Anti-housing actions
Rivas has opposed legislative proposals that would reduce the stringent regulations on affordable housing construction along California’s coast (which includes many of the state’s most affluent and segregated areas).[5][6] She has sought to limit the ability of religious institutions to build more housing.[7] Rivas is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.
Finances
Source: Vote Smart
New Legislation
More Information
Wikipedia
Luz Maria Rivas (born February 6, 1974) is an American politician from the state of California. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the member-elect to the United States House of Representatives for California’s 29th congressional district. Rivas previously served in the California State Assembly from 2018 to 2024, representing California’s 43rd State Assembly district.
Background
Rivas is from Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, worked for Motorola, and then earned a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.[1] She founded a non-profit organization based in Pacoima, Los Angeles, to encourage school age girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.[2] She also served on Los Angeles’ City Public Works Commission.[1]
California State Assembly
Following Raul Bocanegra‘s resignation from the California Assembly, Rivas declared her candidacy in the special election to succeed him.[1] Rivas won the special election on June 5, 2018,[3] and was sworn into office on June 11.[4]
Anti-housing actions
Rivas has opposed legislative proposals that would reduce the stringent regulations on affordable housing construction along California’s coast (which includes many of the state’s most affluent and segregated areas).[5][6] She has sought to limit the ability of religious institutions to build more housing.[7] Rivas is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.[8]
U.S. House of Representatives
2024 election
Tony Cárdenas, the incumbent U.S. Representative for California’s 29th congressional district, announced that he would not run for reelection in the 2024 elections. Rivas announced her candidacy for the seat, with Cárdenas’ endorsement.[9] She won the election.[10]
Tenure
Before the start of the 119th Congress, Rivas was elected as the freshman class representative for the Democratic Caucus, defeating Maryland freshman U.S. Representative-elect Sarah Elfreth and Washington freshman U.S. Representative-elect Emily Randall.[11]
Electoral history
2018 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Luz Rivas | 20,453 | 43.9 | |
| Republican | Ricardo Antonio Benitez | 11,679 | 25.1 | |
| Democratic | Patty López | 6,783 | 14.6 | |
| Democratic | Antonio Sanchez | 4,705 | 10.1 | |
| Democratic | Patrea Patrick | 1,740 | 3.7 | |
| Democratic | Bonnie Corwin | 1,220 | 2.6 | |
| Total votes | 46,580 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Luz Rivas (incumbent) | 85,027 | 77.7 | |
| Republican | Ricardo Antonio Benitez | 24,468 | 22.3 | |
| Total votes | 109,495 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2020 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Luz Rivas (incumbent) | 37,867 | 77.1% | |
| Republican | Ricardo Benitez | 11,237 | 22.9% | |
| Total votes | ||||
2022 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Luz Rivas (incumbent) | 38,303 | 98.5 | |
| Republican | Siaka Massaquoi (write-in) | 575 | 1.5 | |
| Total votes | 38,878 | 100% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Luz Rivas (incumbent) | 55,282 | 74.6 | |
| Republican | Siaka Massaquoi | 18,782 | 25.4 | |
| Total votes | 74,064 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ^ a b c Kevin Modesti (January 8, 2018). “New candidate for Bocanegra’s Assembly seat touts record of empowering women – Daily News”. Dailynews.com. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ^ “This MIT Grad Plans to Change the Lives of Thousands of Latina Girls”. HuffPost. August 28, 2014.
- ^ Kevin Modesti (June 5, 2018). “Democrats Luz Rivas and Jesse Gabriel elected to Assembly from San Fernando Valley – Daily News”. Dailynews.com. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ^ “Two Democrats sworn into office to replace California assemblymen accused of sexual misconduct”. Los Angeles Times. June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ Christopher, Ben (July 6, 2023). “My house or my beach? How California’s housing crisis could weaken its coastal protections”. CalMatters.
- ^ Gardiner, Dustin; Korte, Lara; Govindarao, Sejal (August 17, 2023). “A sea change for housing”. POLITICO.
- ^ Christopher, Ben (November 22, 2023). “Speaker Rivas shuffles the leadership deck and YIMBYs win”. CalMatters.
- ^ “Legislative Progressive Caucus”. assembly.ca.gov. California State Assembly. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Logan, Erin B. (November 20, 2023). “Assemblymember Luz Rivas will run to replace Tony Cárdenas in Congress”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ https://www.bdtonline.com/news/nation_world/ap-race-call-democrat-luz-rivas-wins-election-to-u-s-house-in-californias-29th/article_d6793e69-2dac-5839-b2bc-dd9c97e7d9eb.html
- ^ Diaz, Daniella; Tully-McManus, Katherine; Wu, Nicholas (November 20, 2024). “The Gaetz fight heads to the House floor”. Politico. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ “Primary Election – Statement of the Vote, June 7, 2022” (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ “General Election – Statement of the Vote, November 8, 2022 – State Assembly” (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
External links
