American politician (born 1974)
Luz Maria Rivas (born February 6, 1974) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative from California's 29th congressional district Democratic Party , she previously represented the 43rd district in the California State Assembly from 2018 to 2024.
Background
Rivas was born and raised in 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] Pacoima, Los Angeles , to encourage school age girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics .[ 2] [ 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] [ 3] [ 4]
Rivas is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus .[ 5]
Housing
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).[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] California Legislative Progressive Caucus .[ 9]
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.[ 10] [ 11]
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 .[ 12]
Caucus membership
Personal life
Rivas is Catholic .[ 14]
Electoral history
2018 California State Assembly
California's 39th State Assembly district election, 2018
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
2022 California State Assembly
2024 U.S. House of Representatives
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 ^ 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 .^ "Legislative Progressive Caucus" . assembly.ca.gov . California State Assembly. Retrieved April 11, 2024 .^ 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 . ^ "Caucus Members" . Congressional Progressive Caucus . Retrieved January 15, 2025 .^ "Religious affiliation of members of the 119th Congress" (PDF) . Pew Research Center. Retrieved January 8, 2025 .^ "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 .^ "Statement of Vote" (PDF) . sos.ca.gov . Sacramento: Secretary of State of California . 2024. p. 86. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2025 .^ "Statement of Vote" (PDF) . sos.ca.gov . Sacramento: Secretary of State of California . 2024. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2025 .
External links
