María José Catalá Verdet (born 3 March 1981)[1] is a Spanish politician who belongs to the People's Party (PP).

She was the mayor of Torrent (2007–2012), the first woman and first from her party to hold the office, and briefly served in the Congress of Deputies in 2008.

Her thesis was on the relations between voters and representatives in the early 21st century, a time of corruption scandals, including several involving her party.

[4] Catalá entered politics in 2003 when she was elected as a PP councillor for the town of Torrent to the south-west of the city of Valencia.

[9] The PP came second, and incumbent mayor Joan Ribó of Coalició Compromís was re-elected with the support of the PSOE.