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The threat of political violence is keeping parents out of elected office

August 4, 2025

Liuba Grechen Shirley, who successfully advocated for allowing campaign funds for child care after experiencing harassment during her 2018 congressional run, is now expanding her efforts to include security expenses through her organization Vote Mama. A new report by Vote Mama Foundation reveals federal candidates spent over $41 million on security measures between 2014-2024, with spending dramatically increasing in recent years. While federal regulations allow campaign funds for security, only 10 states have similar policies, creating barriers for parent candidates who face safety concerns.

Who is affected

  • Parents running for political office, particularly mothers with minor children
  • Women candidates, especially women of color who represent 63% of women's security spending
  • Current elected officials facing harassment and threats
  • Local elected officials reporting increased threats and harassment
  • Voters who lose representation when potential candidates are deterred by safety concerns

What action is being taken

  • Vote Mama's lobbying entity is advocating for state-level policies to allow campaign funds for security measures
  • Vote Mama Foundation is tracking and researching security spending by political candidates
  • The FEC has clarified rules in 2024 regarding the use of campaign funds for security expenses
  • North Dakota recently became the 10th state to allow campaign funds for candidate safety
  • Minnesota legislature is planning to cover costs for enhanced home security for lawmakers
  • The Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI) is tracking incidents of threats and harassment against officials

Why it matters

  • Mothers with minor children represent only 8% of state legislators and 6.8% of federal legislators
  • Threats of violence create barriers to political participation, especially for parents
  • Security concerns disproportionately impact women candidates and officials
  • The issue affects politicians across the political spectrum, with both Democrats and Republicans spending significantly on security
  • One in three women report their gender identity as a perceived driver of hostility they face
  • Almost half of all women in the BDI survey report worrying about future threats or attacks
  • The lack of women's voices in decision-making bodies affects policy and democracy

What's next

  • Vote Mama is calling on more states to allow campaign expenditures for security
  • Lawmakers in Oklahoma have recently returned to addressing the subject
  • The Brennan Center for Justice and BDI are advocating for expanded access to personal security measures and improved data collection
  • No explicit next steps stated in the article regarding implementation timelines or specific legislative proposals beyond these advocacy efforts

Read full article from source: The 19th