Meet
Marvalette
FAITH • FAMILY • COMMUNITY
Marvalette Hunter is guided by faith and driven by a deep commitment to servant leadership. She’s running for Congress because she refuses to accept a future where leaders fail to stand up and fight for everyday people.
Marvalette will be ready to serve in Congress on Day One.
She brings a wealth of experience in public service — including her work as Chief of Staff to the late Congressman Sylvester Turner and during his two terms as Mayor of Houston.
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As the Congressman's chief administrator and policy advisor, Marvalette planned, managed and directed the administrative, programmatic and budgetary operations of the office and ensured strategic alignment with the Congressman’s policy agenda, legislative priorities and assigned committees, including Homeland Security and Science, Space and Technology.
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While serving as Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office, Marvalette provided functional oversight of an executive staff representing the city’s 23 departments, over 21,000 employees and a budget of $6.2 billion.
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Marvalette has more than 30 years’ experience in public policy, regional planning, affordable housing, economic development and finance. She has spent half of her career in the public sector building stronger, sustainable, and resilient communities while leading change through community empowerment.
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She formerly served as Chief Development Officer for Harris County Housing Authority and Vice President of Community Lending for a Seattle-based bank acquired by JPMorgan Chase. She is a business owner of a real estate development firm that builds apartment communities.
Unlike the incumbent, Marvalette Hunter has called this community home for more than 20 years. She’s raised her children here, worshipped here, and served her neighbors through years of volunteer work. This isn’t just a district to her — it’s home. She has a real stake in what happens here, and she’s ready to fight for it.
Marvalette is married to Dr. Newal Hunter, a 20-year retired veteran (Army) and educator. She and her husband reside in the Champions area.They have two children, Austin Chandler and Victoria Grace, who are both college students.
Marvalette has resided in Houston for 35 years. She was born in Norfolk, VA, and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Her father was in the military (Navy) and her mother was a hairdresser. She was the first in her family to attend college and earned a Master’s Degree in City & Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Florida A & M University.
Marvalette is a member of Fallbrook Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, and American Leadership Forum. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Rockwell Fund.