VOTE MAMA ENDORSES 10 TOWN BOARD AND COUNCIL CANDIDATES

NEW YORK — Vote Mama, the first PAC focused solely on electing Democratic moms, announced its endorsement of ten candidates running for Town Board and Council positions across the country:

• Daryl Eisenberg Knegten — Watchung, NJ Borough Council

• Diamond Slaton-Williams — Town Council, Harrisburg, NC

• Katelyn Kriesel — Town Board, Manlius, NY

• Christine Pusateri — Town Council District 3, North Hempstead, NY

• Cricket Denton — Upper Township Committee, Cape May County, NJ

• Cristin Jacoby — Town Council, Cortlandt, NY

• Elizabeth Maxwell — Town Board, Hamlin, NY

• Jessica Mahar — Town Board, Colonie, NY

• Jennifer Mann — Town Council, Brunswick, NY

• Melanie Farkas — Township Trustee, Liberty, OH

“With more moms in office, our government can finally start working for working families. These mamas are running for town positions to ensure the priorities of women, children, and families are reflected in our local laws. They are passionate about their towns because these are the places where they have chosen to raise their children. Each of them will stand up for their neighbors and inspire change in their communities so that their children, and every resident, can thrive. Their voices are exactly what we need in local government, and I am so excited to support them,” said Vote Mama Founder and CEO, Liuba Grechen Shirley.

“My youngest son was born on the day I filed to run in 2018. I announced his birth with pride that morning, and then announced my candidacy with pride later that afternoon. I nursed my newborn in the chambers during council meetings and on doorsteps during canvassing. I have lived my entire political life as a working mother, showing my friends and neighbors that it is possible to be involved politically, even with a baby in your arms. I am totally immersed in this community, with children in both of the local schools, and am the immediate past PTO president. That role has put me even more in touch with the interests of parents in town. Ultimately my motivation is for my own family, which is also the same for others: I want Watchung to be the best home my children can possibly grow up in. Calee, Calvin, and Judah give me the best reasons to do all I can for our town,” said Council Member Daryl Eisenberg Knegten, candidate for Watchung Borough Council.

“I find fulfillment in showing my children how serving others can enhance their lives and those around them. I was always taught as a child we should take care of others and serving as an elected leader in my community is my way of giving back. My goal as a mom has been to ensure my children understand their role in the community, to stand up for others, and to give back through service to others. My hope is to be a mom and elected leader who leads with honesty and integrity, who includes and values others and their perspectives, and

to create an equitable community built on trust, respect, and fairness,” said Diamond Slaton-Williams, candidate for Harrisburg Town Council.

“As a single mom, I understand the struggles of what parents are facing in this country. To make the changes that we want to see in our communities, we need to have a voice at the table. It is a privilege to be able to run for office and to represent mothers and parents. Vote Mama’s support of my reelection campaign highlights the importance and the difficulties of running for office as a mom, and I am humbled to accept their endorsement,” said Katelyn Kriesel, candidate for Manlius Town Board.

“As a Mama, I’m running for District 3 Town of North Hempstead Town Council because I want to be an advocate for all within the community, and provide a voice for all,” said Christine Pusateri, candidate for North Hempstead Town Council, District 3.

“The vision I have for Upper Township is a shared vision that I have for the world – to leave it a better place so that our children can inherit something great, and follow in our footsteps to lead their community,” said Cricket Denton, candidate for Upper Township Committee.

“When people find out I’m running for office with a full-time job and two kids, the first thing they say is, ‘I don’t know where you find the time!’ The truth is none of us have ‘extra’ time, and every minute spent working for the community takes away from something else important to me. But I think it’s incumbent upon all of us to create the world we want for our children. We need busy moms in office because they understand the needs of busy families,” said Cristin Jacoby, candidate for Cortlandt Town Council.

“Being a Manager of Mayhem (MOM) has given me the greatest opportunity for leadership and service to the community,” said Elizabeth Maxwell, candidate for Hamlin Town Board.

“As a working mom and environmental advocate, my daughter gives me hope, purpose and a sense of urgency. There are serious issues facing future generations, from climate change and the need to protect clean water, to ensuring that our community is safe and living here is affordable. I look forward to working hard on behalf of my neighbors and providing my perspective to inform policies that support working families and protect our natural resources,” said Jessica Mahar, candidate for Colonie Town Board.

“It is, without a doubt, harder to run for office as a stay-at-home mother of two kids, but what gives my campaign its extra driving force of passion and energy is that I believe what I am doing will make our local world incrementally better for my kids to live and grow up in,” said Jennifer Mann, candidate for Brunswick Town Council. “My deepest motivation for running is to model for my children that, if you want to see a change, you need to take on personal responsibility by taking an active role in creating that change. I am running to make our local democracy stronger and our community cleaner and more united for the good of my children.”

“Being a mom running for office can be challenging, but that’s where community comes in. I’ve had so many incredible friends and supporters pitch in to help my family with childcare during events, meals, homework and more. I’m so grateful for the support!” said Melanie Farkas, candidate for Liberty Township Trustee.

Women, particularly moms of young children, face unique challenges when running for office. Vote Mama seeks to increase the political power of moms by stepping in to disrupt the systems that hold women back through direct financial support, mentorship, and endorsements. As with all of Vote Mama’s endorsed candidates, these ten candidates support family-friendly legislation and are committed to making this country a better place to raise children.

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Vote Mama endorses, funds, and trains Democratic moms running for office up and down the ballot and across the country. Vote Mama is increasing the political power of mothers by providing the tools and training to break down the systemic barriers that hold women and mothers back. Since launching in 2019, over 50 Vote Mama candidates have gone on to win their races.