Are the pieces falling into place for the immediate past director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs to take a shot at becoming the next voice for Senate District 1?

While Luz Robles fell short of announcing her candidacy on Monday, she did tell the Deseret Morning News that her recent decision to step down from Ethnic Affairs opens the door for a bid to represent the Senate district that comprises primarily Salt Lake's west side.

"Being in the private sector allows me to consider being an elected official," said Robles, a Democrat. "I'm excited."

The seat is currently held by Sen. Fred Fife, D-Salt Lake, who says he's running for a second term and believes his tenure here, along with work he's done to improve the community, will give him the upper hand.

"I just have a concern for the best interest of the district," Fife said. "I've lived in the district for most of my life. ... I've conducted my business here, and I know the district from the north boundary to the south, all the way around."

Robles moved to the Salt Lake district from Utah County about nine months ago, she said, to raise her daughter in a more diverse area. And, she added, "It's also more affordable, and we happened to find a perfect home."

On Monday, Robles started her new post as director of Zions Bank Business Resource Center, which helps people learn about starting businesses. She described the move to the center as "truly public service."

Robles was appointed director of Ethnic Affairs in November 2005 after serving in the post on an interim basis since July of that year.

During her tenure, Robles took heat from both sides of the political aisle. During the last legislative session, Rep. Chris Herrod, R-Provo, questioned whether the office was too politically active when it comes to illegal immigration and called for an interim study of its influence.

Meanwhile, some community activists have accused the office of not being active enough under the Huntsman administration, as the ethnic offices shifted their roles and started working together under the Ethnic Affairs umbrella.

"I think one of the challenges, obviously, was the changing of our mission," Robles said. "We went from ombudsman to an office of promoting institutional change."

Palmer DePaulis, executive director of the Department of Community and Culture, which oversees Ethnic Affairs, said he wasn't setting a time line for Robles' replacement, but that he hoped a new director would be in place before the next legislative session. Jesse Soriano, director of Hispanic Affairs, is serving as interim director, he said.

DePaulis said that, during a time of transition, Robles made inroads in achieving institutional change toward cultural competency among state agencies and as a portal to help people access state services. He'd like to see the new director continue that, while also expanding the office's outreach work.

"We're really sorry to lose her," DePaulis said. "Luz made some real gains."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com