Marilyn Avila (born January 3, 1949) is a former Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. She first won office in the 2006 election,^[3] and she represented the state's 40th house district from 2007 until 2017. She was defeated by Democrat Joe John in the 2016 election. In 2018, she attempted to make a comeback for her old seat, but she lost again to John. She chaired the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services,^[4] Commerce and Job Development Subcommittee on Science and Technology,^[5] Unemployment Fraud Task Force.^[6] Rep. Avila also sat on the Appropriations Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Commerce and Job Development Committee, Education Committee, Ethics Committee, House Select Committee on Certificate of Need Process and Related Hospital Issues, House Select Committee on Education Reform, House Select Committee on State-Owned Assets, State Personnel Committee, and Transportation Committee.^[7]

Her professional career includes working as a chemist for HanesBrands, Inc., for the public policy think tank John Locke Foundation and hairstyling salon owner.^[8]