About MARÍA
"These times are exceptionally challenging for our community, and we need a steadfast leader who prioritizes effective service to the people. I have witnessed María Isa advocate tirelessly for access to affordable medicine and vocalize the concerns of our most vulnerable citizens. María Is a leads by example, embodying the values of inclusivity, commitment, and service that define our community's strength. Her commitment to youth engagement and support for local businesses, the backbone of our neighborhoods, are particularly noteworthy."
—Niki Molinar, Highland Park resident and business owner
In 2020, Maria utilized her network through the Minnesota music and arts scene along with her personal testimony of being a type 1 Diabetic to advocate for the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act in Minnesota—the first such act in the U.S. She organized musical concerts throughout the state to educate and support the Insulin For All Minnesota chapter and was present for the Governor’s bill-signing on April 15, 2020. From 2021-2023 she was on the T1 International Global Committee as a prominent organizer for affordable healthcare education in Minnesota. Maria authored and championed the legislation for Undocumented neighbors to have access to the MN Insulin Affordability Act in 2024.
María was appointed by Gov. Walz in 2021 to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board Public Engagement Advisory Task Force to enhance community engagement regarding the Capitol area prior to her election to the legislature.
María Isa Pérez-Vega is a politician, international recording artist, youth programming director, community organizer, and proud mother from the West Side of Saint Paul, Minnesota. She currently serves in the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 65B.
COLLEGE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
“María’s dedication to our community and our state is truly inspiring. She’s exactly the kind of leader we need in Minnesota right now."
—U.S. Senator Tina Smith
Rep. Pérez-Vega was invited twice during her first term to the White House by the Biden administration to convene with other legislators regarding childcare affordability and highlighting policy action, as a member of the MN Children and Families Finance and Policy committee.
In 2023, Rep. Pérez-Vega was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz as a member of the Capitol Area Community Vitality Task Force, to help develop recommendations for improving and sustaining the vibrancy of the State Capitol area.
From 2022 through 2026, Rep. Pérez-Vega authored, passed and funded $1.3 billion to address homelessness, $13 million for West 7th reconstruction, $40 million for the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, $6.2 million for RiversEdge, $1 million for CHS Saints Stadium renovations, and $3.6 million toward Minnesota's first Latino Museum project in the city of St. Paul - while often in a tied House when no one expected the House to even get a bonding bill.
In 2023, Rep. Pérez-Vega was the champion lead author for the permanent voluntary pre-K funding while co-chairing the Minnesota House Early Education conference committee, to which she was appointed by Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman.
In March of 2026, Rep. Pérez-Vega authored and received unanimous support for legislation to repeal Minnesota’s César Chávez Day, following a New York Times investigation into the sexual abuse and predatory behavior by Chávez against young women.
She did all this by building good relationships across the aisle, using her leadership in the Saint Paul Delegation and the POCI Caucus, and by not taking no for an answer.
In January of 2026, when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came to run for County Commissioner and help her community more immediately and more deeply, María entered the race for Ramsey County Commissioner - District 5.
“THE REP WHO RAPS”
"I have had the privilege of witnessing María Isa championing peace, transformative change, and collective action for our communities since her childhood. I have marveled at her unwavering dedication to St. Paul, her unrelenting passion for hope, and her remarkable ability to amplify every voice while fighting tirelessly for justice, centered on the people."
—Sara Remke, West 7th resident, former co-owner Black Dog Café
María was born (and continues to live) on the West Side of St. Paul to Harry Perez and Elsa Vega-Perez. She attended St Agnes School throughout middle and high school.
María was especially influenced by her mother, Elsa Vega Pérez, who was appointed by Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich as the first Latina to direct the Office of Equal Opportunity. Elsa was a co-founder of casa de Esperanza, now a national organization known as Esperanza United, where Maria spent her upbringing attending meetings locally and throughout the country, influenced by the 90s Latino empowerment movements. Elsa also helped found the Spanish Speaking Affairs Council. As María has shared, “I was raised around policy and among people who were creating policy for Black, Indigenous and people of color. The fight for social justice and human rights was born in me.”
FAMILY ROOTS
After attending Columbia College in Chicago, Maria taught and built curriculum as the director of mentorship at the nonprofit Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project, coordinating programs and teaching creative writing, voice, percussion and recording arts in both Minneapolis Public Schools and St Paul Public Schools as well as both Minneapolis Parks and St Paul Parks and Recreation Department. She was awarded the National Hispana Leadership Institute’s “Rising Latina Star” award for her work with Nobel Peace Prize Laureates educating incarcerated youth through arts and literacy as well as for organizing affordable insulin as a type 1 diabetic, as well as the “Excellence in Leadership & Service” award from the Latino Chamber of MN, and continues to amplify the voices of Queer BIPOC communities through her art.
"I have known María Isa as a dedicated youth worker, cultural arts champion and wonderful public servant who leads with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to the people of our communities. She lives and understands that strong neighborhoods, equitable opportunities, and responsible governance are essential to making Ramsey County a place where everyone can thrive."
—Senator Foung Hawj, District 67
María led relief efforts for Puerto Rico after the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria. With El Fondo Boricua of the Saint Paul and the Minnesota Foundation, she helped raise more than $270,000 and delivered emergency aid. She also helped raise awareness and funds in the aftermath of massive earthquakes in 2020 and Hurricane Fiona in 2022.
"For her entire life, María has been a relentless voice for people. She has been fighting for affordability, fair housing, better wages, and human rights for all people for years. Her work advocating for affordable insulin will forever be imprinted in Minnesota history and I am so excited for us as she takes her leadership to county government!”
—Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
María began her arts education at El Arco Iris Center for the Arts (currently the Borikén Cultural Center) in 1992, where she went from student to singer, songwriter, and performer. The hits followed and she began playing for sold-out crowds at many Minneapolis venues, touring Nationally and in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2019 Maria Isa became a McKnight Foundation Music Fellow and was invited by the Smithsonian National Museum of Arts to perform her original work as part of their American Latino Showcase of Latin Hip Hop of the U.S.
As a leading Puerto Rican Cultural Hip-Hop artist, she has performed with and opened for artists like Bad Bunny, The Roots, and many more.
Since 2009, María Isa has led her independent label, SotaRico, releasing more than 15 albums and bringing Minnesota and Puerto Rican culture together through music, storytelling and live performances.
MUSIC CAREER
After her success with the Insulin Affordability Act and motivated by the birth of her daughter Loíza Rosa and the desire to make the world better for all of Minnesota’s youth, María ran for State Representative of District 65B in 2022 and won with 78.5% of the vote.
María currently serves as Chair of the Minnesota House Saint Paul Delegation and Vice-Chair of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus (POCI).
