Paul Herrera is working to advance public safety, more local jobs, and restoration for our neighbors who are homeless.

Herrera previously served as a Police Sergeant for the Puyallup Tribe for over 20 years. As the Director of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement, Herrera worked with Tribal and State Biologists on many environmental studies throughout the South Puget Sound and Washington’s Forests. Additional assignments included School Resource Officer, Pierce County Gang Task force, Swift Water Rescue Technician, and training in Group Crisis Intervention. Over the years he worked as an undercover Narcotics Detective tracking the trends, habits, and idiosyncrasies of drugs and crime. With these experiences, Herrera gained a respect to the realities of mental illness, drug addiction, and victims of crime.

Herrera serves on the Governors Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, Veterans Legislative Coalition and previously served on the Pierce County Equity Review Board, Pierce County Veterans Advisory Board, and the Pierce County Law & Justice Review Board. As part of his work on the Veterans Legislative Coalition, he chaired the subcommittee for the Global War on terrorism memorial, working on funding for a monument at the state capitol. As Chair of the Veterans Affairs  Advisory  Committee, he organized town halls to educate local veterans on benefits available to them as well as assistance for indigent veterans. Because of his advocacy work in the State Legislature, Paul has earned a reputation as bipartisan collaborator, working with Democrats and Republicans for the betterment of all veterans in Washington State. Herrera served in the Army on Active Duty and reserves for over 20 years and had a combat deployment to Iraq as a squad leader.

Herrera serves as the State Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was previously selected as Veteran of the Year for Washington State in 2016. He is a Father of two adult children and enjoys scuba diving in the Puget Sound.