RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Inland Empire United is proud to endorse Anyse Smith for Desert Healthcare District & Foundation, Zone 5, recognizing her commitment to expanding healthcare access, strengthening community health systems, and ensuring every resident can receive the care they deserve.
Healthy communities begin with accessible healthcare. Inland Empire United believes every family deserves quality care regardless of income, language, or neighborhood, and that public institutions should prioritize prevention, accountability, and community wellbeing.
An attorney and current Desert Healthcare District Director, Smith has focused her leadership on addressing healthcare workforce shortages, expanding behavioral healthcare, and strengthening the healthcare infrastructure serving communities throughout the Coachella Valley. Her priorities include recruiting more healthcare providers, supporting frontline workers, and investing in clinics, mobile health services, and community-based care.
Smith’s commitment to this work is deeply personal. After experiencing homelessness more than a decade ago, she rebuilt her life through recovery and has since dedicated her career to helping others overcome barriers to housing, healthcare, and justice. Today, she serves as Assistant Director of Law and Policy at Starting Over, Inc., where she works at the intersection of housing, legal advocacy, and health, while also teaching future attorneys and serving on numerous nonprofit boards throughout the region.
Smith believes community voices should shape public policy before decisions are made. She has pledged to continue holding community meetings, improving transparency, expanding bilingual outreach, and ensuring residents have a meaningful role in guiding how healthcare resources are invested across the district.
Inland Empire United is proud to endorse Anyse Smith because of her commitment to equitable healthcare, community accountability, and building a stronger, healthier future for the Coachella Valley.
The November General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. To learn more about Inland Empire United’s endorsed candidates, visit https://ieunited.org/2026-endorsements/.