Indiana becomes the 31st state to allow campaign funds to be used for childcare expenses [Video]

INDIANAPOLIS — With the release of the Indiana Election Commission’s advisory opinion on campaign funds to cover childcare expenses, several Indiana lawmakers said they anticipate more parents of young children to start running for office.

”When I was looking to run, this was a barrier,” State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D, Fishers) said. ”I’m really excited to see a new generation of moms and dads enter the political landscape at all levels, town council, city councils, the statehouse, and at the federal level.”

The Vote Mama Foundation said nationwide, roughly 90 candidates have used campaign funds for childcare expenses.

”That’s an over 2,000% increase since 2018,” Sarah Hague with the Vote Mama Foundation said.

According to Hague, less than 1% of Indiana state legislators were mothers of minor children in 2022.

”We’re crafting policies that are impacting mothers, maternal healthcare, child care access where these conversations are missing a vital …