Clarke endorsed by PAC seeking to elect mothers of young children to office

A political action committee founded by a former congressional candidate who fought to use campaign funds to pay for childcare while she was campaigning has endorsed Jefferson Democratic Municipal Chair Christine Clarke for State Assembly in the 26th district.

Clarke, who is challenging incumbents Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains) and BettyLou DeCroce (R-Parsippany), is the only New Jersey candidate to win an endorsement from Vote Mama this year.

“Women, and particularly moms of young children, face unique challenges when running for office,” the Vote Mama PAC says on their website.  “Especially in those critical early months, moms face increased scrutiny from donors, establishment institutions, and the public.”

Vote Mama is the only PAC that focuses on electing mothers.  According to their website, Congress has 90 men with young and school-aged children, but only 23 women with the same situation.

“As an active environmental advocate with four children, including a little one who recently stopped nursing, I can relate to how hard it is for women to enter politics and the unique challenges put upon us for trying.  Vote Mama’s support of mothers running means we might finally have needed voices in government. This endorsement means the world to me.”

Webber has seven children, with one more on the way.

With bi-partisan support, the New Jersey Senate passed a bill in June that allows an elected official or candidate to use campaign funds to pay for childcare expenses.

The bill is now being considered by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.