Luz Rivas

Luz Maria Rivas (born February 6, 1974) is an American politician from the state of California. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served in the California State Assembly since 2018. She represents California's 43rd State Assembly district, which includes San Fernando, Sylmar, and Pacoima.

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. 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. She also served on Los Angeles' City Public Works Commission.

Political career
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.

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). She has sought to limit the ability of religious institutions to build more housing.

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.

Rivas is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.