Julie Palakovich Carr has served in the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 17 (Gaithersburg and Rockville) since January 2019. She serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, where she chairs the Early Child Subcommittee. Julie has championed legislation to ease barriers to voting, make roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, and to close corporate tax loopholes.

Julie serves as Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation and Secretary of the Transit Caucus. She previously served as Vice Chair of the Legislative Review Committee for the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus and as Vice Chair of the Montgomery County House Democratic Caucus.

She previously served two terms on the Rockville City Council (2013-2019), where she championed progressive reforms such as banning smoking in outdoor dining areas, protecting law-abiding immigrants from deportation, and improving safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people in vehicles.

In 2016, Julie was recognized as a Leading Woman by the Annapolis Daily Record for her community involvement and professional accomplishments.

Prior to being elected, Julie served on several municipal task forces, including serving two terms on the Rockville Environment Commission, chairing the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance Review Committee, serving as Vice-Chair of the City Services and Budget Working Group, and chairing the Watersheds Committee.

A scientist by training, Julie brings an analytical, facts-based approach to policymaking. Julie has a master’s degree in biology from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Boston University. She is the only biologist with an advanced degree currently serving in the Maryland General Assembly. Julie spent a decade working on science policy, including on Capitol Hill and as public policy manager for the American Institute of Biological Sciences, a non-profit organization devoted to ensuring that federal policymakers receive scientific information to inform their decision-making process.

 Julie is married and her son attends public school.