Sen. Natasha Marcus is in her second term representing northern Mecklenburg County, after pulling off an upset victory in 2018 to unseat Republican Sen. Jeff Tarte. She’s one of her party’s go-to speakers during Senate floor debates, passionately arguing for the Democrats’ position on key issues.
This session, she’s serving on judiciary, elections and redistricting committees. Notable legislation from Marcus last year included a bill to exempt feminine hygiene products from sales taxes and a bill for tougher regulations of gas pipelines after one leaked in her district.
Age: 53
What are the past jobs you’ve held outside of politics?
- Attorney at Brooks Pierce law firm
- Judicial Clerk, Middle District of NC
- Development Office at the Ada Jenkins Center (a non-profit community service center)
What lessons from those roles have you applied to your elected position? My time at the community center made very clear how important it is that we expand Medicaid and provide ways for North Carolinians to access affordable, quality healthcare. It also showed me how many people work one or more jobs yet cannot make ends meet due to low wages, lack of childcare, lack of healthcare and the lack of affordable housing. My work as an attorney and judicial clerk taught me how important it is to be prepared and conduct myself honorably and honestly.
If you could enact a single piece of legislation into law today, what would it be? Medicaid expansion.
Where do you most enjoy taking an out-of-town visitor in your district? The beautiful Davidson College campus and the extensive greenways all around North Mecklenburg County.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work? Running.
Who do you most admire, and why? President Barack Obama, for overcoming unprecedented opposition, always taking the honorable, high road, leading the nation wisely and without scandal, and inspiring Americans to live up to the dream of what America can be.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about how to get legislation passed? Work on a bipartisan basis and don’t insist on getting credit for the idea.
