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Moms on an independent mission

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Jean Sinzdak — associate director of the nonpartisan Center for American Women and Politics — says Tuesday’s election saw a number of firsts.

“Voters in places where that happened were really hungry for a different sort of candidate,” she said. “For someone who was not the quote un-quote typical elected official, which has historically been older and white and male.” […]

Sinzdak says nationwide women running for office ignored traditional advice of downplaying the fact that they were mothers or had kids at home.

For [Democratic House candidate Joyce Mason], it was a key theme of her campaign; she called herself a “mom on a mission.”

Sinzdak says that’s good news for future elections.

“What that means long-term is that it might open the playing field for more women and other newcomers to the political process to not feel like they had to fit a certain mold,” she said.

Maybe this is a new thing elsewhere, but it’s not new here. Way back in 1994, House Republican Leader Lee Daniels recruited a bunch of suburban PTA/school board moms to run against Speaker Madigan’s Democrats. They highlighted their personal lives and it worked so well that Madigan himself adopted the practice, which continues to this day. Democratic Rep. Michelle Mussman’s 2010 campaign slogan was none other than: “Mom on a mission.”

* What is different this year is the refreshing independence of so many of the latest suburban women candidates, Mason included (coincidentally, I told subscribers about Mason earlier today).

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:47 am

Comments

Speaker Madigan and the moms he controls

Comment by Anon E Moose Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:01 am
–Sinzdak says nationwide women running for office ignored traditional advice of downplaying the fact that they were mothers or had kids at home.–

When was that “the traditional advice?” Doesn’t ring a bell with me.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:05 am
The 94 and the 96 cycle following you had a real emergence where the map allowed Daniels and Pate to find the right candidates, and the timing, maps, and politics brought the “Moms” into a position to get Daniels the elusive gavel.

Like Skyhook, MJM learned what beat him, and the recruitment of moms and strong women, especially in districts where the Dem trending was going to continue, allowed Madigan to beat that “Senate Red” map by following up Daniels’ first strike.

That time frame, 96 through 2002, the recruitment avd races on the House side as the map morphed in Dem ways, the GOP found itself lost, when it seemingly abandoned the “mom” thoughts in some places, or conceded districts they felt were not going to turn back to the GOP.

I keep going back to that 1994 time.

It’s not wistful nostalgia, but it’s a look back to see what could be ahead, with leadership willing to build around all Republicans, not divide a party so grifters can make their monies off the believers of phony.

Maureen Murphy and Rosemary Mulligan.

Those type of pairings in the HGOP? Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:18 am
Actually, Word, women candidates often are told to soft-pedal their mom credentials — and polling often backs that up.

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:20 am
Time will only tell if these newly elected officials maintain their independence.seems to me i have heard those claims before. But ever the optimist, i will withhold judgement until shown otherwise.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:21 am
Studies have shown that women with children are viewed as less competent and less dedicated than women without children.

Comment by NoGifts Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:31 am
–Actually, Word, women candidates often are told to soft-pedal their mom credentials — and polling often backs that up.–

Did not know that. Seems counter-intuitive to me. Raising kids is the toughest job out there, for men and women. You sure learn how to say “no.”

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:44 am
Word — yeah, I was surprised too. But it’s a real thing.

Consider all the times that women candidates are asked, “Who is going to look after your children while you’re in (Spi, DC, whatever)?”

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:57 am
Soccermom & NoGifts are spot on. It might seem counterintuitive, but it translates into being seen as more traditional and therefore less thoughtful or motivated. That is ridiculous, of course, but it crosses over from the workplace.

Comment by Archpundit Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 12:25 pm
I’ve never seen Democratic women soft pedal their mom status. In fact, I’m tired of hearing that women act a certain way “because we’re all moms.” you don’t hear men say “because we’re all fathers.” display brains, whatever your gender, or reproductive status.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Amalia - how many photos & appearances of male politicians have you seen with their families around them? Even the supreme court nominee brought his wife and kids to the hearing??? Tons, and you don’t notice them claiming to be fathers because of the cultural bias. Fathers are viewed as successful and competent and therefore you expect to see them in advertisements and don’t question the reason. The family is an asset. “because we’re all moms” drives us all crazy because we know it decreases the candidate’s chances of success. I’m trying to think family photos with female candidates? No, we don’t want to see that. The only one I recall playing that up was the “momma bear” Sarah Palin.

Comment by NoGifts Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 3:09 pm
===“because we’re all moms” drives us all crazy because we know it decreases the candidate’s chances of success===

https://vimeo.com/16287962

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 3:10 pm
As further evidence that “Mom on a Mission” is an old concept; Mussman’s yard signs, mailers, campaign lit, etc. no longer had that slogan in 2018. (They did use that slogan from 2010-2016) I wasn’t involved in the decision making behind the slogan change, but I live in Schaumburg, and I can tell you that the general feeling among local politicos was that the slogan had gotten stale and needed to be retired because it was too old.

After a certain number of terms, it’s kinda like, “Are you still on that mission? Seems never ending…” haha

None of this is a knock on Mussman, I am one of her constituents she does a great job. One of the hardest working reps around. But yea, “Mom on a Mission” definitely not new messaging/strategy.

Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 4:13 pm
Someday, someone will write a Robert Caro-style biography of Mike Madigan. His political career deserves a good, long book.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 5:07 pm
Success despite the slogan. Not because of it.

Comment by NoGifts Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 5:17 pm
–Someday, someone will write a Robert Caro-style biography of Mike Madigan.–

LOL, yeah, maybe some big brain, great writer like Kass or Katrina.

Caro’s been at it on LBJ for forty years, has published four door-stoppers and he just got past Dallas.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 5:54 pm
It really is a ‘thing’ backed up by research. But moms are bucking against it and as moms ourselves, we think it’s a move in the right direction. Based on our own races—both as moms of young to school-aged children—we created Moms Running (www.moms-running.com) to help more moms transition into political life.

Comment by Moms Running Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 11:38 am