Landmark ruling will inspire parents to run for office

Liuba Grechen Shirley able to spend campaign funds on children

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Congressional Candidate Liuba Grechen Shirley, a Democratic running for the seat of Republican Peter King of Seaford, just broke a major barrier that will allow more parents to run for political office.

In a case that earned national attention and spurred a debate over childcare costs, Grechen Shirley of Amityville won a landmark ruling from the Federal Election Commission to be able to spend her campaign funds on childcare. This groundbreaking ruling will remove a major financial obstacle for working families and mothers at a time when women are increasingly considering elected office.

“We need more women and people of color in Congress,” Grechen Shirley, 36, said in an interview last week. “When you’re a candidate and you forego salary, you work 24/7. Most people aren’t independently wealthy and can’t afford the cost of child care and a campaign. . . It’s not taxpayer dollars. It’s funds we’re raising.”

Grechen Shirley’s male primary opponent, DuWayne Gregory criticized her for this expense early on. After last week’s ruling, his campaign spokeswoman Daniele de Groot released a statement.

“It is good that this has been put to rest, and now the focus can shift to our working families who need real childcare options. Every family should have access to childcare, just like every family should have access to healthcare. In Congress, DuWayne will immediately lead the fight for childcare resources for all.”

Grechen Shirley said she raised $126,000 in the first two months of her campaign — more single contributions than any other candidate whose run against King in 25 years. She said the babysitter who cares for her children, ages 3 and 2, is a member of her staff — “as integral a member of the team as the finance director.” The babysitter is paid $22 an hour for approximately 20 hours of work a week.

“It’s a family campaign,” she said. “My kids are with me as much as possible.” She said her husband and children were with her when

she testified publicly on May 10 at the FEC hearing in Washington, DC prior to the ruling. She first submitted her request with the FEC on April 3, 2018. Following her request, supporters from across the country, including Secretary Hillary Clinton, weighed in.

In a statement she released after the ruling, Grechen Shirley said “I’m proud to be the first woman in the nation to spend federal campaign funds on childcare—and I hope this decision inspires thousands of women across the country to run for office.”

The candidate’s representatives said women currently make up less than 20 percent of Congress, and only a handful of the 106 women serving on Capitol Hill have young children. The Brookings Institute recently found childcare is a key reason why women do not run for office—a survey of potential female candidates found women are 15 times more likely to handle the majority of childcare.

Grechen Shirley has never held political office before. She is an economic development expert with an MBA in economics from NYU who has spoken around the world about “poverty alleviation.” She said her focus in Congress would be on universal healthcare and building an economy that works for everyone.”

On June 26 she’ll face Gregory in a Democratic primary.