NEEDHAM –  Representative Denise Garlick kicked off her re-election campaign at the Hearth Restaurant in Needham, where she was joined by friends, family and supporters. She has submitted the necessary nomination signatures to all three Town Clerks to secure her place on the Democratic ballot for September 4th. Representative Garlick is seeking her fifth term representing the 13th Norfolk District of Needham, Dover and Medfield.

“It has been an honor to represent the 13th Norfolk District of Needham, Dover and Medfield – which I consider my three hometowns. I share the issues and concerns of the families, older adults, veterans and individuals of all abilities in this district. I have defined my life through service, as a woman, as a mother and as a Registered Nurse,” Garlick said to the crowd. As the State Representative, Garlick is now engaged in public service and works in partnership with the towns, advocates and agencies using the state budget and legislation as tools to deliver positive results on complicated issues. Representative Garlick explains that “in our district these issues reflect our values and include healthcare, the opioid epidemic and polysubstance use, education, civil rights, civic engagement and the environment.” Additionally, Representative Garlick works in partnerships on regional and state-wide strategic plans for economic development and infrastructure, focusing on all forms of transportation.

“In these unsettled times, I am proud of the many ways Massachusetts leads our nation. We are number one in public education, in life sciences, and in benefits and services provided to veterans. I also know we can and must continue to strengthen our Commonwealth by closing the achievement gap, reforming criminal justice, committing to clean energy and preserving our environment. It is a humbling responsibility to address the complicated issues that impact the lives of the 40,000 residents of the 13th Norfolk District. I believe public service is important and worthy work and it is my hope that I will continue this work by earning the vote of the people of Needham, Dover and Medfeld,” said Representative Garlick.   

Deb Jacob, a Needham resident, Patrick C. Forde “Good Person” Award recipient and active community leader offered introductory remarks to the crowd and said, “I am proud to support Denise because I know she embodies the highest ideals of public service and I am sure that our community, and our commonwealth, is a better place because she is our State Representative.”

Representative Garlick, one of only 197 women to serve in the history of the Massachusetts Legislature, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010. She is currently serving as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. She previously served as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Education and served on the Joint Committee on Public Health and the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing. In addition to her committee roles, Representative Garlick is a member of the Caucus of Women Legislators, the Metrowest Caucus, the Tech Hub Caucus, the Caucus for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, the Elder Affairs Caucus, the Biotech Caucus, and the Manufacturing Caucus.

Prior to her service in state government, Garlick served as the seventh woman in Needham’s history elected to the Needham Selectboard. This board is responsible for municipal issues of education, public safety, public works and public health, and she helped to manage a budget of more than $100 million. In 2006, as the Chair of Needham’s Board of Health, Garlick founded and co-chaired the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention. This coalition continues its work today and serves as a model for community coalitions across the nation. She also co-chaired the Needham Senior Center Exploratory Committee which led the charge in constructing the $8.2 million Center at the Heights, a hub for town programs and services.  

As a Registered Nurse, Garlick has a wide-range of experiences, including caring for veterans in the VA system, as well as working in teaching and community hospitals. Her education and myriad of experiences caring for individuals of all abilities and their loved ones across the age continuum and in all stages of pain, sorrow and triumph, have uniquely prepared her to address the needs and concerns of the 40,000 people in her District.

Garlick has been learning, listening and leading as both a legislator and a nurse and has lectured nationally on health and safety issues for healthcare professionals. She completed Harvard University’s Healthcare Leadership seminar and she currently serves on the Harvard School of Public Health Environmental Research Center Advisory Board. Representative Garlick also serves at the national level, where she is the Chair of the Council of State Governments (CSG) Health Public Policy Committee and is one of twenty-five individuals selected as a national Opioid Fellow for the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL).

Denise and her husband, Dr. Russell Garlick, have lived in Needham for over 30 years raising their four children with all the experiences of academics, sports, music, drama and scouts. Now as young adults, Monica, Beth, Alex and Andy are benefitting from both the roots and wings of their extraordinary hometown.