Ballot Pedia, Maria Cervania

Maria grew up in Sunnyvale, California, where she attended Homestead High School. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in integrated biology and physical education. Maria is married to Jon, and they have lived in Austin, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, before settling in North Carolina. She is Roman Catholic.

Maria has taught anatomy in the Berkeley Unified School District and physical education in the Oakland School District. She has also served on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Public Health.

Maria Cervania currently serves as the State Representative in State House District 41. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. She previously served as the Wake County Commissioner and was elected in 2020.

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Indy Week, Canddiate Questionnaire: Maria Cervania, NC House 41

Supports balanced economic growth and thriving wages for all North Carolinians.

Believes in balanced economic growth and "thriving wages" for all North Carolinians.

Wants to increase access to job training and support the growth of small businesses. Supports "bringing companies such as Apple, Fujifilm, and Amgen to our state."

Supports increasing the minimum wage to $18.95/hour or higher.

Wants to eliminate the sub-minimum wage for tipped employees.

- Believes in balanced economic growth and "thriving wages" for all North Carolinians.
- Supports affordable housing.
- Wants to increase access to job training and support the growth of small businesses. Supports "bringing companies such as Apple, Fujifilm, and Amgen to our state."
- Supports increasing the minimum wage to $18.95/hour or higher.
- Wants to eliminate the sub-minimum wage for tipped employees.

Economy

Believes everyone benefits from clean water, air, fuels, and the environment. Plans to fight for a clean water supply, net-zero emissions, and protection of farmland and greenways.

Wants to create a "multi-modal public transportation system," more parks, and open spaces.

Plans to create broadband internet access for all.

- Believes everyone benefits from clean water, air, fuels, and the environment. Plans to fight for a clean water supply, net-zero emissions, and protection of farmland and greenways.
- Wants to create a "multi-modal public transportation system," more parks, and open spaces.
- Plans to create broadband internet access for all.
- Wants to invest in food security.

Energy & the Environment

Supports addressing barriers to healthcare access, particularly in behavioral health, crisis services, and substance use treatment.

Supports abortion and wants to increase contraception access. Said, "There should be no restrictions on abortion."

Said, "From a public health standpoint, marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, which are already legal, and legal marijuana can be regulated for consumer safety. But, there is still much research on its effects on physical and mental health.  People need to understand what is known about both the adverse health effects and the potential therapeutic benefits linked to marijuana."

- Supports addressing barriers to healthcare access, particularly in behavioral health, crisis services, and substance use treatment.
- Supports seniors.
- Supports abortion and wants to increase contraception access. Said, "There should be no restrictions on abortion."
- Supports Medicaid expansion.
- Said, "From a public health standpoint, marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, which are already legal, and legal marijuana can be regulated for consumer safety. But, there is still much research on its effects on physical and mental health.  People need to understand what is known about both the adverse health effects and the potential therapeutic benefits linked to marijuana."

Healthcare

Believes in marriage and voting equality.

Said, "I most definitely support the creation of an independent, nonpartisan commission to draw electoral maps, efforts to end gerrymandering, and fair and expanded ballot access."

- Believes in marriage and voting equality.
- Said, "I most definitely support the creation of an independent, nonpartisan commission to draw electoral maps, efforts to end gerrymandering, and fair and expanded ballot access."

Voting & Elections

Supports the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana in North Carolina and believes it boosts the economy, creates jobs, frees up funds for public programs and police resources, and reduces crime.

Supports gun safety measures, raising the age to buy to 21, requiring safe storage, and "engaging with responsible gun dealers and owners in solutions."

- Supports the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana in North Carolina and believes it boosts the economy, creates jobs, frees up funds for public programs and police resources, and reduces crime.
- Supports gun safety measures, raising the age to buy to 21, requiring safe storage, and "engaging with responsible gun dealers and owners in solutions."

Public Safety

Believes in fully funding and supporting public education, recruiting and retaining top educators and staff, and investing in classroom learning. Plans to commit to the highest educational preparation for students.

Supports policies for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, especially in Inclusive Communication/Language Access.

- Believes in fully funding and supporting public education, recruiting and retaining top educators and staff, and investing in classroom learning. Plans to commit to the highest educational preparation for students.
- Supports policies for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, especially in Inclusive Communication/Language Access.

Education

Said she has "built relationships between law enforcement and our community (especially those who are minorities and immigrants) to ensure trust and commitment to all people’s safety."

- Said she has "built relationships between law enforcement and our community (especially those who are minorities and immigrants) to ensure trust and commitment to all people’s safety."

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Maria Cervania

Maria Cervania was born at Naval Hospital Oakland and grew up in Sunnyvale, California, where she attended Homestead High School. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Integrated Biology and Physical Education. Maria is married to Jon, and they have lived in Austin, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, before settling in North Carolina. Information about the church she attends is not provided, nor is there additional detail on her family beyond her marriage.

Maria Cervania graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Integrated Biology and Physical Education. She has taught Anatomy in the Berkeley Unified School District and Physical Education in the Oakland School District. Additionally, she volunteered as a medic at the Berkeley Free Clinic. Cervania has also served on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Public Health.

Maria Cervania has been serving as a Wake County Commissioner since her election in 2020. She is the first AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islander) elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the first Filipino elected to office in North Carolina. Details about any specific appointments or committees she serves on, or past political runs, are not provided.

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