Denise Provost

State Representative Denise Provost announced on January 12,  that she will not seek re-election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in November 2020. “This week sees the start of what will be my 15^th state budget cycle. I have given my utmost to representing the people of Somerville for many years now, and it has been an honor to do so. Now, it’s time for me to step aside.”

Provost ran for the position of Ward 5 Alderman in 1993 and 1995, coming close to beating two different incumbents. She was elected to an At-Large seat on the Somerville Board of Aldermen in 1999. She was re-elected to three more terms on the Board.

During her years in local government, Provost concentrated on adopting appropriate redevelopment plans and zoning for the then almost-vacant Assembly Square. She was a leading voice for human rights and civil liberties in Somerville; fighting, for instance, an “anti-gang” ordinance she condemned as “ill-conceived and unconstitutional.” She was a strong voice for providing more and better parks and playgrounds in Somerville, and led successful opposition to the plan to build a new school in the middle of Lincoln Park, securing its future as a city park.

Provost took out nomination papers to run for the newly vacant seat for state representative for the 27^th Middlesex District on the day of the city elections in November, 2005. She campaigned against a strong opponent, and handily won the election. She was sworn into the Massachusetts House in February, 2006.

Her work in the legislature has included environmental protection in the broadest sense; she was one of the first voices in Massachusetts government to raise the alarm over climate change. She has promoted the principle of environmental justice, advocating for legislation to curtail the negative health effects of polluted earth, air, and water. Besides the right to health and a stable climate, Provost has championed other human rights and civil liberties, advocating for women, children, persons with disabilities, immigrants, the poor and homeless, and LGBTQ people.

Provost fought for marriage equality from her first days in the legislature, was the lead sponsor of the successful 2016 legislation assuring full legal equality for transgender persons. She authored important provisions of the 2009 transportation reform bill, the “Healthy Transportation Compact.” Provost also filed legislation which stopped a proposal to transport highly-flammable ethanol, in tanker cars, on two of the commuter rail lines which run through Somerville.

Representative Provost emphasizes that she is not resigning her seat, and will continue to work zealously for her Somerville constituents until her successor is sworn in, in January, 2021. She will continue to respond promptly to all requests for help, and to discuss pending legislation and other policy matters. Her office can be reached at 617-722-2263, or denise.provost@mahouse.gov.