Denise Andrews

Denise Andrews is an American politician from Western Massachusetts. A Democrat, she is a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the 2nd Franklin district. She was first elected in 2010 and took office on January 5, 2011. The 2nd Franklin district comprises twelve communities, Athol, Belchertown precinct A, Erving, Gill, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton, Warwick, and Wendell.

Andrews was born in Orange and still lives there with her partner Candi Fetzer.^[1] Andrews earned a bachelor's degree from UMass Amherst and an MBA from Xavier University before embarking on a 25-year career with Procter & Gamble (P&G). Her first P&G positions were in Quincy, Massachusetts and she later moved to the company's headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. She left P&G in 2006 after four years as the company's global diversity & inclusion manager. She then established her own consulting business, Legacy Unlimited.^[2]

Following incumbent state representative Chris Donelan's announcement that he would run for Franklin County sheriff rather than seek re-election in 2010, Andrews launched a bid to succeed him in the state house. In the Democratic primary election held on September 14, 2010, Andrews polled 37% in a five candidate race, finishing 519 votes ahead of the second-place finisher, who took 24%.^[3] In the general election held on November 2, she polled 6,885 (53%), finishing over 1,300 votes ahead of the Republican nominee (who took 42%) and an independent (on 5%).^[4]

She is one of seven openly LGBT members of the Massachusetts General Court, alongside Representatives Carl Sciortino (D–Medford), Sarah Peake (D–Provincetown), Cheryl Coakley-Rivera (D–Springfield), Liz Malia (D–Jamaica Plain) and Kate Hogan (D–Stow), as well as Senator Stan Rosenberg (D–Amherst).^[5]

References

External links

• Legislative profile
• Campaign website