Vote Mama Shines Light on Mom of Four Running in LD26: Christine Clarke Receives Endorsement of Vote Mama PAC

Jefferson Twp., NJ:   26th Legislative District State Assembly candidate Christine Clarke has received the endorsement of Vote Mama and is listed on their website as one of their candidates.

“I am thrilled to endorse Christine in her campaign for NJ-26. Christine has a clear vision to protect the environment and create a better country for our children and I am proud to support her,” said Liuba Grechen Shirley, Founder and CEO, Vote Mama.

Vote Mama PAC, organized and led by former congressional candidate Liuba Grechen Shirley, supports Democratic mothers with young children running for office up and down the ballot and across the country.

“As an active environmental advocate with four children, including a little one who recently stopped nursing, I can relate to how hard it is for women to enter politics and the unique challenges put upon us for trying.  Vote Mama’s support of mothers running means we might finally have needed voices in government. This endorsement means the world to me,” said Clarke.

Vote Mama seeks to correct the issue of parity in representation. They note in their mission that “because of the cultural and structural hurdles moms face, many choose to wait until their children are grown before running for political office. Because they wait to get started, it’s harder for women to achieve leadership positions at the same rates as men.”  The presence or absence of women at the table in policy discussions is often reflected in legislation passed.

Clarke was featured in an article in NorthJersey.com recently focusing on the challenges women face running for office, including child care expenses during campaign events.  Grechen Shirley championed the right to use campaign donations for child care expenses in federal election campaigns in a 2018 FEC opinion.  This may soon be possible for New Jersey mothers running for office too (S-4037/A-5705).  The bill awaits an Assembly vote.

Clarke is an environmental advocate, a grassroots organizer and mother-of-four running for State Assembly to advance clean energy jobs, protect clean air and water, improve healthcare, and legislate with empathy and fiscal responsibility.

She is endorsed by a number of environmental, union, women’s rights, civic engagement and grassroots organizations. She has lived in Jefferson for 15 years with her husband and four children. Learn more about her at www.clarkeforassembly.com.

The 26th District includes 13 communities in Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties: Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Milford.