Vote Mama

Vote Mama is an American political action committee and foundation aimed at helping mothers with young children run for office.^[1][2][3][4]

Founded in 2018 by Liuba Grechen Shirley, a congressional candidate from New York, the committee focuses on supporting progressive young mothers running for office.^[1][5][6]

In order to be endorsed by the committee, "candidates must be Democrats who support abortion rights,^[7] paid family leave, universal pre-K, along with special attention paid to other issues that matter to working families."^[8][9]

Senator Elizabeth Warren filmed the PACs launch video.^[10] Hillary Clinton headlined its launch event in 2019.^[10][11]

In 2021, it launched a campaign to pass campaign funds for child care in all 50 states by 2023.^[12] It also launched a survey to find out what lawmakers' childcare needs are.

The group's endorsement of Sabina Matos in Rhode Island's 2023 special election created controversy because its rules state that it would not endorse candidates in races with more than one mother running.^[13]

References

1. Akin, Stephanie (2019-01-16). "Vote Mama helps moms with young children to run for office". Roll Call. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
2. "Liuba Grechen Shirley's Vote Mama PAC Aims To Put More Moms Of Young Kids In Office". Bustle. 2019-01-16. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
3. Usalis, Katie (2022-05-06). "What Moms in Politics Really Want This Mother's Day: Campaign-Funded Childcare". Ms. Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
4. Pechenkina, Ekaterina (2023-03-03). "Political 'mamas' have a child care problem". POLITICO. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
5. "Moms Are Fighting To Use Campaign Funds For Child Care". HuffPost. 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
6. "Vote Mama: How this new PAC is helping mothers run for office". MSNBC.com. 2019-07-25. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
7. "Too many politicians don't know what it's like to be pregnant or miscarry". Motherly. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
8. "Every 2018 Female Congressional Candidate With Kids Under 2 Lost. This PAC Aims to Help Moms Win". Yahoo Finance. 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
9. "Moms Are Fighting To Use Campaign Funds For Child Care". HuffPost. 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
10. Carter, Christine Michel. "Electing A Mother As VP? Vote Mama Resoundingly Says Yes". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
11. Rodriguez, Barbara (2022-01-25). "Pumping, voting, taking leave: Legislators who are mothers face specific challenges". The 19th. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
12. "How Much America's Lack of Child Care Infrastructure Is Costing Women". Morning Consult. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
13. Fitzpatrick, Edward. "Vote Mama endorsement stirs controversy in R.I. congressional race - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2023-10-20.