Luz Rivas | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's29th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Cárdenas |
| Member of theCalifornia Assembly | |
| In office June 11, 2018 – November 30, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Raul Bocanegra |
| Succeeded by | Celeste Rodriguez |
| Constituency | 39th district (2018–2022) 43rd district (2022–2024) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Luz Maria Rivas (1974-02-06)February 6, 1974 (age 51) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS) Harvard University (MEd) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Luz Maria Rivas (born February 6, 1974) is an American politician who has served as theU.S. representative fromCalifornia's 29th congressional district since 2025. A member of theDemocratic Party, she previously represented the43rd district in theCalifornia State Assembly from 2018 to 2024.
Rivas was born and raised in Los Angeles. She earned aBachelor of Science degree inelectrical engineering from theMassachusetts Institute of Technology, worked forMotorola, and then earned aMaster of Education degree from theHarvard Graduate School of Education.[1] She founded a non-profit organization based inPacoima, Los Angeles, to encourage school age girls to pursue careers inscience, technology, engineering, and mathematics.[2] She also served on Los Angeles' City Public Works Commission.[1]
FollowingRaul Bocanegra's resignation from theCalifornia State Assembly, Rivas declared her candidacy in thespecial election to succeed him.[1] Rivas won the special election on June 5, 2018,[3] and was sworn into office on June 11.[4]
Rivas is a member of theCalifornia Legislative Progressive Caucus.[5]
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] She has sought to limit the ability of religious institutions to build more housing.[8] Rivas is a member of theCalifornia Legislative Progressive Caucus.[5]
Tony Cárdenas, the incumbentU.S. Representative forCalifornia's 29th congressional district, announced that he would not run for reelection in the2024 elections. Rivas announced her candidacy for the seat, with Cárdenas' endorsement.[9] She won the election.[10]
Before the start of the119th Congress, Rivas was elected as the freshman class representative for theDemocratic Caucus, defeating Maryland freshman U.S. Representative-electSarah Elfreth and Washington freshman U.S. Representative-electEmily Randall.[11]
Rivas isCatholic.[14] Rivas was the founder of DIY Girls, which is a non-profit organization that supports girls who are interested in learning technology and engineering through mentorship and education.[15]
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Luz Rivas (incumbent) | 37,867 | 77.1% | |
| Republican | Ricardo Benitez | 11,237 | 22.9% | |
| Total votes | ||||
| 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% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Luz Rivas | 40,096 | 49.3 | |
| Republican | Benito Bernal | 21,446 | 26.4 | |
| Democratic | Angelica Dueñas | 19,844 | 24.4 | |
| Total votes | 81,386 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Luz Rivas | 146,312 | 69.8 | |
| Republican | Benito Bernal | 63,374 | 30.2 | |
| Total votes | 209,686 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 29th congressional district 2025–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 421st | Succeeded by |
