Political candidates in Pittsburgh will be allowed to use campaign funds for childcare

Candidates seeking political office in Pittsburgh will be allowed to use campaign funds for some childcare costs incurred because of their campaigns starting next election cycle.

Under legislation passed by City Council on Tuesday, candidate committees will be able to use campaign funds to pay for childcare expenses incurred during an election cycle to pay for “reasonable and necessary childcare for the time the candidate is engaging in campaign activity.”

Several council members have said they have witnessed or personally experienced the challenges of raising a family while running for office.

This measure is a signal that local officials want to see parents represented in elected office, said Erika Strassburger, a co-sponsor on the bill who said she personally has “experienced this tug” between wanting to run for office, but also needing to care for her family.

The legislation, which passed unanimously on Tuesday, will allow candidates to use campaign funds for costs including professional or casual babysitting and organizations that offer childcare. It would not, however, cover things like pre-primary, primary or secondary education.

The money also could not be used to pay family members or members of a candidate’s household for watching their children.

Expenses related to childcare would be disclosed in the same manner as other expenditures that the candidate committees are required to disclose.

The legislation — introduced by Councilman Corey O’Connor, who is himself a new father — will go into effect during the next election cycle.