She received both a master's degree in political science and a doctorate in education and moved on to working for Chula Vista Elementary School District as a teacher, principal, and administrator.

[3] Her membership of the Chula Vista Medical Center Board of Directors lasted nine years, and included a stint as its president.

[6] In addition to these organizations she was endorsed by several Republican politicians, including her husband Greg Cox, Shirley Horton, Darrell Issa, George Plescia, Mark Wyland.

In April 2007, the Public Integrity Unit of San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis began prosecuting political opponents of Cheryl Cox.

The staffer was charged with five felony counts of perjury for telling a grand jury that he filled out his leave slip from work before rather than after he took off from his job at the City of Chula Vista.

[12] The now-dormant unit ended its active phase with a second and final prosecution, that of Steve Castaneda, who had run against Cheryl Cox for mayor.

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, "Castaneda was a tenant at the complex and was accused of seeking favors, such as free rent, from Sunbow owner Ash Israni, according to the 1,200-page grand jury transcript.

"[13] In April 2014, questions were raised about political interference by San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis in that election.

In late 2005 Steve Padilla received a phone call from Dumanis asking him to support her employee Jesse Navarro for city councilman.