About Josh
US Army Special ForcesJosh’s commitment to public service began on September 11, 2001, when on one of his first days at Yale University he watched as terrorists attacked Americans on our own soil. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the US Army as a Special Forces (Green Beret) Soldier. During multiple deployments to Afghanistan and South America, Josh became convinced that nothing was more important to a society’s well being than sound laws and a strong education system. |
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TeachingLeaving active duty, Josh matriculated at Harvard University where he received a Master in Education and dedicated himself to fixing America’s education system. After graduation, Josh taught English in Lawrence during the day and spent his evenings earning a law degree from Suffolk University with help from the GI Bill. |
School Leadership (Principal)Josh transitioned to education administration and is currently the principal of a grades 6-12 public Middle-High School. While he has implemented positive changes and policies as a building based principal, he knows he can help more people across the Commonwealth as your State Representative. |
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AttorneyCombining nearly 20 years of military experience with his law degree, Josh currently serves the Massachusetts National Guard as a Judge Advocate General (JAG), assisting soldiers and commanders make decisions based on sound legal reasoning. |
FatherJosh lives in Needham with his wife and three children. He enjoys running and hiking through the Needham Town Forest. Please reach out to him. Get to know him. He is approachable and available. Most importantly, he will work tirelessly to understand the challenges faced in our Commonwealth, advocate for those he represents, and implement the type of government we all deserve. |
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Issues and Priorities
Improving Education Across the CommonwealthSociety expects schools to do more and more, to play an increasing number of roles in a child’s life: to teach, to parent, to counsel, to ensure that students are growing academically, socially, emotionally, and are safe. If the schools are to effectively lead these efforts, they need more resources and leadership that knows how to cut through the noise, leadership that has been in the trenches of our schools and can help harness and utilize resources effectively. |
Reproductive RightsThe decision to have an abortion is a remarkably personal one. If elected, Josh will ensure that the choice to have or not have an abortion rests with the individual and not the government. |
Ending Gun ViolenceAs the principal of a public middle high school, every year Josh has to train faculty, staff, and students how to barricade doors in case of an active shooter. In the military, everyone trained how to use the weapons they carried. If a Soldier was having mental health issues, their weapon was taken. We can extend these military principles into the civilian world, utilizing common sense background checks, disallowing weapons for people who shouldn't have them, and requiring training for those that want to possess guns so that children and adults alike can feel safe. |
Political Culture & ClimateJosh has worked with all types of folks, every color, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. He’s learned one important lesson: we’re not that different. The time has come to return to what we were, what we as Americans are: a good, united people, who may disagree on a host of issues by degrees but are able to compromise, to stay within the bounds of political decency and discourse to reach mutually beneficial aims. No campaign, no office, is worth sacrificing a sense of right and respect in order to win. It’s time for politicians to stop hurting the country by being poor role models. We need to build bridges and work together. We’re not that different. Josh can help bring this civility back. If elected, Josh will work across the aisle to make change planted on common ground and based in common sense. |
More Issues >>
In the Media
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Watch Josh delivering his graduation speech at Mashpee Middle-High School in 2022 |
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2015 Pat Tillman Foundation Tillman Scholar |
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Tillman Tuesday: From a Green Beret to Teaching, Joshua Tarsky Has a Passion For Education |
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Task & Purpose: 6 Tillman Scholars With Incredible Backgrounds |
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American Bar Association : Welcome New Members |
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The Falconer: Outside the Classroom With Mr. Tarsky |
Josh Tarsky for Massachusetts House - 13th Norfolk
Paid For By The Committee to Elect Joshua Tarsky
PO Box 920581
Needham, MA 02492
JOSH TARSKY IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE US ARMY AND A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD. USE OF HIS MILITARY RANK, JOB TITLES, AND PHOTOGRAPHS IN UNIFORM DOES NOT IMPLY AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE ARMY OR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE