Campaign Funds Now Available for Child Care: AG Kris Mayes Weighs In

Arizona candidates running for public office can now allocate campaign funds for child care costs, thanks to a recent legal opinion from Attorney General Kris Mayes. This ruling puts Arizona in line with 34 other states and Washington D.C. in permitting such financial use during campaigns.

Mayes, a Democrat and the state’s first female attorney general, delivered this guidance at the request of several lawmakers who are also mothers. The request originated from a letter sent on May 9, led by Senator Eva Diaz of Tolleson.

Senators and representatives, including Reps. Stacey Travers, Quantá Crews, and Sarah Liguori, sought Mayes’ interpretation with support from the Vote Mama Foundation, aimed at codifying the use of campaign funds for child care into state law.

In her opinion issued on September 16, Mayes stated that campaign funds can indeed cover dependent care necessary for a candidate to engage in campaign activities. This holds true even if the candidate is at home and unable to care for their children due to their campaign obligations.

Travers expressed optimism, noting that this decision brings Arizona’s law in line with federal legislation that has allowed similar expenditures since 2018. The impetus for this shift came after New York congressional candidate Liuba Grechen Shirley successfully utilized campaign funds for child care expenses.

Despite this significant ruling, its impact before the upcoming November general election may be limited. Nevertheless, Travers hopes that this clarification encourages more parents, particularly single mothers and fathers, to consider running for office in the future.

Diversity within the legislature is crucial, and Travers emphasized the need for varied perspectives in political discussions. Prior to Mayes’ ruling, the ambiguity surrounding campaign finance laws deterred many potential candidates.

Currently, only 7% of Arizona’s state legislators are parents of children under 18, highlighting a significant gap in representation. Mayes pointed out that while women who run for office are as successful as their male counterparts, fewer women choose to run, often due to caregiving responsibilities.

Supported by similar opinions from other states such as Virginia and Connecticut, Mayes’ ruling represents a step forward. However, candidates who win office will still face challenges like balancing child care with legislative duties, particularly due to the comparatively low annual salary of $24,000.

Travers had previously introduced legislation to increase legislator compensation to $35,000, but it did not progress in committee. Nevertheless, she noted potential opportunities for collaboration with local educational districts to enhance child care services.

The legislators who requested the Attorney General’s opinion were optimistic about the future. Crews remarked that reducing barriers for parents and caregivers in political service is a significant advancement for Arizonans seeking to contribute to public policy.