1Reliability
I'll support sustainable yield management of our groundwater basin and a balanced mix of imported Colorado River and State Water Project supplies, so service stays reliable through drought.
Leadership for water, service, and community.
ELECTION DAY IS
NOVEMBER 3
You're Invited
Campaign Kickoff
Thursday, September 175:30–7:30 PM
Willie's Modern Fare, Mirage Room, Rancho Mirage
Join Sunshine and the campaign team as we officially kick off the campaign for CVWD Division 1. Come by, meet Sunshine, enjoy some snacks and a drink, and learn how you can get involved.
Sunshine Herrera
Candidate, CVWD
ABOUT SUNSHINE
Sovereign Roots. Community Values. Ready to Lead
Sunshine Herrera is running for the CVWD Board to expand influence, strengthen partnerships, and ensure the Coachella Valley has a powerful voice in the decisions that shape its water future. As a proud member of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, one of four tribes whose reservations lie within the CVWD service area, she brings a perspective that is directly connected to the land, water, and long-term sustainability of this region. Her background in tribal governance, local commissions, and academic coursework in water management and sustainable resource planning gives her both the technical knowledge and the community trust needed to serve effectively on the board. She is running to add value, expand impact, and ensure the Coachella Valley is not just part of the conversation about its water future, but helping to lead it.
"Water is life, and protecting it means protecting our future."
— Sunshine Herrera
Local resident and community advocate
Committed to transparent, accountable governance
Focused on long-term water sustainability
Priorities
A Water Agenda That Works for You
2Rates
Through transparent budgeting and cost-of-service analysis. Ratepayers should see how every dollar funds treatment, infrastructure, and operations, before any increase is approved.
3Transparency
Support open communication, thoughtful decision-making, and access to information so residents can better understand the issues affecting our water and our community.
4Partnerships
Water doesn't follow jurisdiction lines. Coordinating with tribal nations and neighboring agencies on shared groundwater management avoids duplication and stretches every dollar.
5Advocacy
Competing for grant funding and a seat at the table on Sacramento and Colorado River allocations. If we're not represented, the Valley's share gets decided without us.
6Stewardship
Through integrated water resource management we can reuse treated water and plan for climate-driven demand, so the Valley we leave behind is stronger than the one we inherited.
Ready on Day One
Government experience, legal and policy education, and a strong record of community leadership—ready to serve on Day One.
Government & Community Leadership
Experienced in how governments, public agencies, and community partners work together.
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
- Tribal Council Proxy
- Vice Chairwoman, Gaming Commission
- Vice Chairwoman, Tribal Elections Committee
- Indian Planning Commission
- Historic Preservation Advisory Board
City of Cathedral City · California Tribal College
- Cathedral City Cannabis Task Force
- Mobile Home Commission
- Vice Chairwoman, Arts Commission
- Southern California Regent
Fields of Valor — Veteran recognition initiative
- President
Invisible Wounds 22K
- Founding Board Member
Lighthouse of Hope
- Founding Board Member
Rotary International — Cathedral City Afternoon Rotary
- President
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
- Board Member (former)
Legal & Policy Education
Prepared to review regulations, contracts, and complex board decisions.
Juris Doctor (J.D.) & Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Trinity Law School
Bachelor of Science, Political Science
Arizona State University — Magna Cum Laude · Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
Associate of Arts, Business Administration
University of Phoenix — Dean's List
Water Policy Education
Prepared to understand the policy, systems, and regulations that shape our region's water future.
Water Resources Management
Arizona State University
Water Technology & Innovation
Arizona State University
Water Law, Policy & Regulatory Compliance
Arizona State University
As a member of one of four tribes whose reservations lie within the CVWD service area, Sunshine has a direct, generational stake in the Valley's water future.
A Long Journey to the Coachella Valley
Colorado River water travels hundreds of miles before reaching our valley. Here's the journey in three simple steps.
It begins with snow.
Most Colorado River water begins as snow in the Rocky Mountains.
Small streams and snowmelt eventually come together to form the Colorado River.
ColoradoWyomingUtahNew Mexico
Reservoirs help manage the river.
Water travels through the Upper Basin and into Lake Powell.
It then passes through Glen Canyon Dam and Lee Ferry, the dividing point between the Upper and Lower Basins. From there, it continues to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.
Then it reaches our valley.
Colorado River water continues toward California and enters the All-American Canal.
The Coachella Branch carries that water north into the Coachella Valley.
Farms
Groundwater
Homes
Businesses
Understanding where our water comes from helps us understand why thoughtful water management matters.
Donate to Sunshine's campaign.
Your contribution helps fund voter outreach, printed materials, community engagement, and digital communication ahead of November.
Donations are securely processed through a secure external contribution platform.
Donate Now
Secure external payment
Join the Team
Get Involved with Team Sunshine
Can we send you a yard sign? Want to help from home? Let us know and we'll be in touch.
Yard signs are free. We will deliver to your home address.
Free yard signs delivered to your home
Volunteer in your neighborhood or from home
Get event and election updates
Add your public endorsement of Sunshine