Albany, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) today announced passage of groundbreaking legislation (A.1108-B/S.2680-A) to allow candidates for office to use campaign funds for childcare expenses, which will help encourage parents, and mothers in particular, to run for office.

“All across the country and right here in New York, more and more women and mothers are running for and winning elective office. ‘Run, momma, run,’ is their motto, and this legislation recognizes that the law does not reflect today's reality,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). “By making childcare costs an allowable campaign expense, we will encourage more women to run for office, creating legislatures that look more like the communities they represent.”

Currently a record 70 women serve in the New York State legislature, representing approximately 33% of both houses. On a national level, women occupy nearly 24% of seats in the United States Congress, a historic high, even when considering that women comprise nearly 51% of the total United States population. In recent years, record numbers of women have run for office at all levels of government, but those who have children face unique challenges as child care responsibilities still fall disproportionately on women’s shoulders.

“Having children should never be a barrier to running for office,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). “No one brave enough to seek office should have to bow out of their campaign because they can’t afford childcare. In fact, we need more mothers in office working to address the high costs of childcare and other issues that they, as mothers, are uniquely situated to address. This legislation will help level the playing field and ensure that those with children, regardless of gender, are provided a fair opportunity to run for office.”

Former Congressional candidate Liuba Grechen Shirley became the first woman in history to receive approval in 2018 from the Federal Election Commission to spend campaign funds on child care expenses. The New York State Board of Elections subsequently issues an advisory opinion related to campaign activities only.

New York campaign finance law prohibits a candidate from using campaign funds for “personal use,” but in codifying and expanding the BOE’s advisory opinion, this legislation will allow campaign funds to be used for any lawful purpose related to an election campaign, as well as the holding of a public office or party position.