Murphy signs law allowing office holders, candidates to use campaign funds for child care

NorthJersey.com

Public officials and parents running for political office in New Jersey will soon be able to use campaign funds to pay for certain child care expenses, after Gov. Phil Murphy signed S698 into law Thursday.

“Public office holders and candidates often juggle parenting, their full-time careers, and their work in office and on the campaign trail,” Murphy said in a statement. “No one should be excluded from running for or serving in office because they cannot find or afford child care. I am proud to sign this legislation that will allow those looking to serve our state to use campaign contributions for child care.”

The bill is intended to encourage more women and parents with prohibitively high child care costs to run for office, and allow people with new perspectives to be a part of public life. 

Christine Clarke