Shaena Garberich for State Representative
From Lived Experience to Legislative Action
From Lived Experience to Legislative Action
Shaena Garberich is a community advocate, recovery leader, and working-class voice for Washington families. Guided by lived experience and a deep commitment to service, she is running for State Representative to fight for affordable housing, stronger behavioral health systems, and policies that put people first.
Shaena Garberich is a community advocate, recovery leader, and dedicated public servant rooted in the values of resilience, compassion, and service. Her path to leadership has been shaped not by privilege, but by lived experience navigating the same challenges many Washington families face—including housing instability, barriers within the behavioral health system, poverty, and the realities of rebuilding after adversity. Those experiences have given her a deep understanding of how policy decisions impact real people and a fierce commitment to creating systems that actually work for families.
Shaena has spent years advocating for stronger behavioral health services, recovery support, affordable housing, and equitable access to care. She testified with the Washington Recovery Alliance on state legislation, worked alongside immigrant families through Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center, accompanying community members to ICE check-ins and appointments, and built trusted relationships through grassroots community organizing. As a mother, advocate, and working-class leader with strong ties to her community, Shaena is running for State Representative to bring practical, compassionate leadership to Olympia and ensure every Washingtonian has the opportunity to thrive.
I’m running for office because I’m driven to give a voice to those who are often hurt after experiencing personal loss in 2020. I am inspired to advocate for people who need support supporting care. I’m motivated to create positive change ENSURING everyone has access to opportunity and a better future, the American Dream!
Housing is the foundation of stability, health, and opportunity. I will fight to expand affordable housing, strengthen renter protections, fully fund eviction prevention programs, and invest in proven homelessness solutions like permanent supportive housing because no one should lose their dignity or safety because housing is out of reach.
Washington’s behavioral health system is stretched thin, especially in rural communities. I will advocate for stronger mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, peer recovery support, crisis response alternatives, and equitable healthcare access so people can get help before they reach crisis.
Strong communities require both safety and compassion. I support investments in prevention, behavioral health treatment, youth intervention, and reentry support alongside effective public safety measures because safer communities are built by addressing root causes, not just reacting to crises. Working Families & Economic Opportunity
Working people deserve wages they can live on, affordable childcare, accessible healthcare, and economic policies that make stability possible. I will fight for workers, families, and small communities that often feel overlooked in Olympia.
Working people deserve wages they can live on, affordable childcare, accessible healthcare, and economic policies that make stability possible. I will fight for workers, families, and small communities that often feel overlooked in Olympia.
Too often, state policy is shaped without fully understanding rural realities. I will advocate for equitable investments in transportation, healthcare access, housing, broadband, treatment services, and economic development so rural communities receive the resources they deserve.
People closest to the challenges should help shape the solutions. I am committed to transparent leadership, community listening, and ensuring that working families, immigrants, people in recovery, and historically excluded voices are represented in policymaking.
City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026
Shaena on Coach B's Podcast
Email: shaenamgarberich@gmail.com
Phone: (360) 701-6820
Address: 1316 W. Harvard Ave. Shelton, WA. 98584