2024 Primary Election Candidate Endorsements

Community Water Center Action Fund (CWCAF) works to elect leaders who view the lack of safe and affordable drinking water in their communities as an environmental justice issue, and who seek to lift the burden currently faced by low-income communities of color who go thirsty under the weight of mismanagement, pollution, and scarcity. Endorsed candidates will value a model of co-governance, where community residents and local community-based organizations have the opportunity to engage in local decision-making by sharing their insights and directly contributing to policy. These candidates will follow through on their promise of accountability and prioritize the steps necessary to achieve drinking water solutions for their constituents. 

CWC Action Fund strategically endorses candidates who either:

  • Play a direct role in the distribution of water for a community in California’s San Joaquin Valley or Central Coast

  • Participate in creating local, regional, state and/or national policies that impact drinking water in California.

Meet the Candidates

  • Angel Ruiz

    Candidate for CA Assembly District 33

    Angel Ruiz is a first-generation immigrant, bringing with him a unique perspective to advocacy work. Angel's background includes significant experience in civil rights and labor rights advocacy, notably with the Dolores Huerta Foundation. His campaign is dedicated to critical issues such as healthcare access, educational advancement, and labor rights, driven by a commitment to equitable representation and local community empowerment. About Angel Ruiz

  • Benny Corona

    Candidate for Tulare County Board of Supervisors, District 2

    A Tulare County native, Benny Corona learned the importance of hard work, faith, and education through agricultural work with his parents going on to graduate from UC Berkeley. Benny has worked with various water boards and small water companies to build water and wastewater infrastructure in Central Valley communities. He worked to secure a $52 million investment throughout the Central Valley to combat COVID-19 for our essential workforce. Benny continues to reside in and work for the communities that raised him striving to serve Tulare County District 2. About Benny Corona

  • Joe Soria

    Candidate for Tulare County Board of Supervisors, District 1

    Joe Soria was born and raised in Lindsay, California to migrants who worked in agriculture and taught him the importance of hard work and education. Having graduated from UC Berkeley and USC, Joe is currently a small business owner alongside his family with experience as a school teacher and in the transportation industry. Joe believes the Central Valley deserves fresh blue-collar leadership on the Tulare County Supervisory Board that is willing to tackle the difficult problems that the residents face. About Joe Soria

  • Rudy Salas

    Candidate for CA Congressional District 22

    Born and raised in the Central Valley, Rudy Salas went from working in the fields with his father to graduating from UCLA and becoming the first Latino Bakersfield City Council Member in its 112-year history. Rudy has been an effective voice for the Valley in the California State Assembly, advancing projects and securing $290 million of dedicated investments for Central Valley projects during the last two years. Rudy is ready to flip California’s 22nd Congressional District highlighting that the Central Valley is the beating heart of our state and families deserve a Congressmember who will stand up for their values. About Rudy Salas

Note: Community Service Districts (CSDs) and Public Utility Districts (PUDs) do not participate in primary elections, so endorsement will only need to be considered for general elections.

Note: CWCAF is not required to endorse candidates just because they have been endorsed by the organization before or are part of the Community Water Leaders Network. All candidates will go through the same endorsement decision process for each election they participate in.