Garcia Wilburn, Hunley team up to advocate for more parents and caregivers on the campaign trail
Lawmakers’ advisory opinion request to be discussed at Feb. 27 Indiana Election Commission meeting
State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) and State Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) have teamed up to advocate for Indiana’s campaign finance law to remove a major financial hurdle and make it easier for parents and caregivers to run for office.
Currently, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) allows federal candidates to use private campaign funds to pay for campaign-related childcare expenses. Additionally, 30 states have approved the usage of campaign funds for childcare for state and local candidates. The Indiana Election Commission has issued previous advisory opinions that the current statute on qualified campaign fund use is intentionally broad. In 2001, it was determined to be broad enough to allow reimbursement for lost wages and salaries of a candidate or their household member resulting directly from campaign activity.
Garcia Wilburn and Hunley believe childcare and dependent care expenses resulting directly from campaign and public office activities fall under the current statute and are seeking clarification for mothers and caretakers across the state.
Garcia Wilburn and Hunley submitted a letter to the Indiana Election Commission on Feb. 12 to request an advisory opinion on this matter from the commission, and the commission added it to its calendar for Tuesday, Feb. 27. If the commission issues an advisory opinion clarifying that dependent care expenses incurred in connection with running for office or holding public office in Indiana are considered a permissible campaign expenditure, Indiana would join 30 other states in aligning with federal guidelines.
“Running for state office requires a lot of time, energy and resources – and doing it as a mom or dad of young kids makes it even harder,” Garcia Wilburn said. “Being without family in Indiana, I relied heavily on paid child care while attending to the many duties of a candidate and an elected official. We need parents in our city halls, school boards and at the Statehouse. If the Indiana Election Commission rules in favor of parents by allowing child care to be considered a permissible campaign expenditure, young parents will have an easier time running for office. It is critical that we have a representative assembly that includes parents of young children, to speak on issues such as education, childcare, and pediatric healthcare.”
“We need more people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to run for office. And, we need to remove barriers to running for office,” Senator Hunley said. “I know firsthand the challenge of balancing childcare and work outside of the home, especially when campaigning. My own children tagged along to many events or depended on rides from generous neighbors while I was out knocking on doors and attending neighborhood meetings. My village stepped up to provide support; not everyone is so fortunate. Caretakers have strong skills that translate into elected office: the ability to empathize and problem-solve chief among them. An ethics ruling ensuring campaign funds can be used for dependent care would provide one more tool to support candidates.”
“The cost of caring for a loved one should never be the reason someone cannot run or cannot serve in office. Unfortunately, caregiving responsibilities are often a barrier that holds parents and caregivers back. By allowing candidates and elected officials to use their campaign funds to cover both childcare and dependent care expenses, Indiana has the power to activate candidates who may have considered running for office and ensure young families are represented in office. Vote Mama Foundation applauds Rep. Garcia Wilburn and Sen. Hunley for taking this step to help Indiana tear down a major financial obstacle that keeps parents and caregivers, especially mothers, out of the political arena,” Vote Mama Foundation said.