A Daughter of northeast Ohio.
A Voice for the “Massive Middle.”
Maria is running for Congress because working families deserve more than political performance — and because too many people in Ohio’s 14th District are doing everything right and still falling behind. Most of us live in the massive middle, and we deserve a representative who wants to listen, learn, and find common ground. Her call to serve came into sharp focus in January 2026, moved to action by the tragic loss of Renee Good and a deep-seated need to protect this community.
A Voice for the “Massive Middle.”
Maria grew up in a working-class Cleveland neighborhood, raised in a large immigrant Croatian family that had escaped communist Yugoslavia for the promise of America. She came of age surrounded by the mosaic of the city — Lithuanian, Slovenian, Irish, Italian, and African-American neighbors — all striving for their piece of the American Dream.
Her mother was a proud UAW member at Fisher Body, sewing seat covers for GM’s Cadillac division. Her father contributed to the development of X-ray and MRI imaging systems — technologies still saving lives today. Maria learned the value of a dollar and the dignity of work early:
- The Hustle: At 13, she had two paper routes; later she worked at Winkelman’s and waited tables at fish fries at the Croatian Lodge.
- The Community: Girl Scouts, swimming at the YMCA, playing clarinet and softball — Cleveland shaped her
Politicians want you to think America is a country of two teams — left vs. right, liberal vs. conservative. Around here, we have our own versions of that divide: heartland vs. coast, urban vs. rural.
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AND RESILIENCE
Earning Every Step
From valedictorian of Villa Angela Academy to a BA in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame — helping fund her education through scholarships, loans, and shifts in the dining hall and University Archives — Maria has never been afraid of hard work.
Her path hasn’t always been easy. She has faced the reality of the modern economy, having been laid off three times. At age 35, as a single mother, she balanced part-time work with law school at Cleveland State, graduating with honors. Her thirst for understanding didn’t stop there — she later earned a Master’s in Theology and Religious Studies from John Carroll University in 2022.
She returned to law school at 35 while raising her daughter and working part-time.
That’s the kind of determination she’s bringing to Congress.
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE, A LOCAL HEART
Witness to War — and Human Resilience
Maria’s commitment to human rights was forged on the front lines. As a Fulbright Fellow in Croatia during the war, she also translated for foreign journalists and worked for international aid organizations. Most profoundly, she served as a translator for human rights groups interviewing men released from concentration camps in Bosnia.
She witnessed firsthand what happens when governments fail to protect human dignity — and what resilience looks like when ordinary people are forced to endure the unimaginable. She carried those lessons home.
PROVEN LEADERSHIP FOR OHIO
She Doesn’t Just Talk About Change
Maria doesn’t just talk about change; she works for it. Her career spans 24 years at the Cleveland Clinic, including developing the Arts and Medicine Institute, alongside decades of public and community service as a licensed attorney, city councilwoman, and nonprofit leader:
Elected Office: Served four years as a City Councilwoman in Euclid.
Community: Served on numerous nonprofit boards and the Euclid Civil Service Commission.
Advocacy: Ran as an Independent for the 14th District in 2024, personally engaging thousands of voters to get on the ballot.
2026 Primary: Swept all six counties in Ohio’s 14th District, defeating two strong opponents. Not because she had the most money. Because authenticity still wins.
Maria is a licensed attorney, a mother, and a lifelong student of the American experience — a woman forged by hard work, driven by service, proven by results, and genuinely built to win. She is ready to take our shared values to Washington and fight for the middle ground that brings us all together.
Support Maria’s Campaign
