Representing Senate District 2 in Clark County, Senator Maggie Carlton is a tireless champion of Nevada's children and working families. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1957. She was first elected to the Nevada State Senate in November, 1998.  In the 2009 session, Senator Carlton served as the Chair of the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Senator Carlton is the 2009 Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor after being a member from 1999-2007. She is the 2009 Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Infrastructure, and Transportation.  She is also a member of the 2009 Senate Committee on Taxation. The Nevada State Psychological Association even named her Legislator of the Year in 2003 and the Governor's Fundamental Review Committee named her Nevada Women's Lobby Outstanding First Term Legislator.

Senator Carlton has held numerous leadership positions in varying organizations in the state of Nevada. In 2006, she was the State Director of The Women Legislators' Lobby (WiLL). She was also on the Executive Committee of the National Labor Caucus of State Legislators. She is a shop steward in Culinary Local No. 226 and is a member of the Southern Nevada Water Authority Citizens Advisory Committee on Water Quality. Along with her political work, Senator Carlton is also a member of the Las Vegas Interfaith Council.

Senator Carlton is married to Merritt Carlton. They have two children: M. Grace Gelzer and Lucy Carlton.