Commissioner, Alachua County, Florida, District 2, 2018-present

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 3, 2014

Candidate, Florida House of Representatives, District 20, 2012

No committee memberships found.

No caucus information on file.

Education Coordinator, Florida Wildlife Care, 2013-present

Teacher, Westwood Middle School, 1994-present

Former Host, African Network TV "Straight Talk"

Teacher, Bronson Elementary School, 1982-92

Teacher, Chiefland Elementary School, 1982-92

Teacher, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School

County Coordinator of Very Special Arts, Levy County Public Schools

Coordinator, Levy County Very Special Arts Florida

Teacher, Private Boarding School

Teacher, Private Elementary School

Member, Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice, 2013-present

Member, Delta Kappa Gamma, Gamma Xi Chapter, 2012-present

Board Member/Secretary, Santa Fe Lake Dwellers Association, 2005-present

Member, Alachua County Education Association, 1994-present

District Coordinator, Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW, Florida Congressional District 03

Volunteer, Florida Wildlife Care, 1998-2013

Board Member/Costume Designer, Gainesville Community Playhouse, 1992-2012

Awards:

Selected teacher of the year while tenured at Bronson Elementary School and then again at Westwood in 2011

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

Marihelen's activist work has included 8 years of working with a variety of water groups in Florida to control water quality and quantity in the region. She has been an outspoken advocate for water conservation of rivers and springs as well as our coastal waters. It was her conviction to correct problems with educational testing practices and water conservation issues that compelled her to become a candidate in the 2012 election for Florida House of Representatives from District 20.

That campaign experience emboldened her to continue to argue that no legislator is impervious to challenge when issues are not being properly addressed.
"I am running in this campaign to address the issues that concern the working families of Florida District 3. I do not believe the real needs of the diverse population of our district are being addressed by the representation of the current Congressman."

Spouse's Occupation:

Owner and director of the Gestalt Center in Gainesville