Denise Peterson-Rafuse was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2009. In June of 2009, she was sworn in as the Minister of Community Services and Minister of Seniors.

Denise is a lifelong resident of Chester. Before becoming an MLA, she was Program Coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia in Hants, Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne counties. She has also worked as a mortgage consultant for Premiere Mortgage Centre and she worked for the Halifax Regional Municipality for 10 years.

Denise has volunteered on many Chester Municupal Council Committee and ran for a seat on Chester Municipal Council in 2004.

Denise is married to Wayne and they have a son, Brandon.