https://wamu.org/story/19/06/03/are-moms-who-run-for-office-held-to-a-different-standard-than-dads-two-local-candidates-say-yes/
First-time political candidate Larysa Kautz was excited when she got a call in late April from an editorial writer at The Washington Post this month. This was an opportunity to pitch her campaign for a seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and possibly land a coveted endorsement from the region’s newspaper of record.

But the phone interview with Post writer Lee Hockstader didn’t go as planned, Kautz says. After talking about why she was running and about her experience — she’s a Yale Law School grad and longtime tax attorney — the conversation turned to family.

“I talked about the importance of having the perspective of a working mom with young kids on the board, and there aren’t any with young kids,” says Kautz, who has a three-and-half-year-old son. “And he said, ‘Well, that’s because there are late night meetings and it’s hard work.’ At which point I had to put the phone on mute because I had to gather myself.”

Hockstader, a longtime Post reporter who joined the editorial board in 2004, strongly disputes her recollection of their conversation.

“Any suggestion that moms or dads can’t or shouldn’t hold elective office is completely false, and so is the characterization you mention below,” he wrote in an email, referring to WAMU’s description of what Kautz said he said. “The Post has endorsed scores, probably hundreds, of parents — moms and dads — in races for local, state and federal offices over the years.”

Kautz maintains her memory of the conversation is sound, and showed WAMU text messages she sent to friends immediately after the conversation in which she described what was said.

Setting aside the dispute over what was or was not said, the situation brings to light what many mothers who run for office say is a stubborn obstacle they face: the assumption that they are the primary caregivers for their children. It’s happened on the campaign trail with the women running for president, and it has happened in local races.

In another recent case in Fairfax County, Alicia Plerhoples, who is running for county board chair, says the issue of balancing parenting and politics also came up when she interviewed with a larger group of the Post’s editorial board.

“We had a good conversation about the issues, but then the very last question of the interview was along the lines of, ‘How are you going to be chairman with two small children?’ It’s a fairly shocking question given that it was a room with three other women on the editorial board,” says Plerhoples, who also graduated from Yale Law School, now teaches law at Georgetown and has two daughters.

Fairfax County Board chair candidate Alicia Plerhoples took to Facebook this week to criticize The Washington Post’s endorsements and for asking her about balancing parenting and politics.
Screenshot from Facebook

Fred Hiatt, the head of the Post’s editorial page, says the same question was asked of Jeff McKay, a longtime board member with two young children who received the Post’s endorsement in his campaign for chair.

“It was just a friendly conversational moment about how demanding the job is, not part of any evaluation process,” Hiatt writes in an email. (Hiatt did not respond to a follow-up question about Hockstader’s comment.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The chair endorsement came out last week and Alicia was the only one singled out for extra scrutiny. I am not upset at their endorsement (I had planned to vote McKay anyway) but to take shots at her and her specifically was unnecessary and uncalled for. There were 2 other White male candidates who barely got a sentence.

Alicia Plerhoples could be a political star some day, but she entered the BOS race with no relevant political experience, based on a hunch that one woman running against three men in a Democratic primary might benefit from a split vote. It sucks if the WaPo asked her sexist questions, but she’s also running a campaign that is fundamentally gender-based. McKay seems like the far stronger and less polarizing candidate.

I don’t get what you’re trying to say. So if someone has issues related to women as part of their platform, people can ask them sexist questions?

You don’t have to be a woman to have issues related to women as part of your campaign. She’s running a campaign that is largely based on the notion that people should vote for her in the primary merely because she is a female POC. Look at all her “seat at the table” materials.

Anonymous wrote:I'm amazed that question was asked. I really do not understand. Are there any women on the editorial board?

That said, it appears to me that those selected were the best qualified. And, wouldn't it be sexist to endorse a less qualified woman?

But, there is no excuse, if it is true. And, while I have a hard time believing the board would have done that, I also have a hard time believing the two women were lying.

Hypocrisy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Many of those making the most hay over the WaPo’s local endorsements of mostly white men (they endorsed Rodney Lusk) are active FCDC members who’ve worked hard to ensure the FCDC endorsement - which means access to campaign money not available to others - was very slanted towards women (and an LBGQT activist).

But obviously the unrepresentative nature of the FCDC endorsements doesn’t bother you, though.

I've never heard of the FCDC. I don't live in Fairfax. I don't really care who wins. But as a woman, it bothers me that the Washington Post, which I read daily, is asking women about their ability to do a job because they have children. As a woman, and a mother and a professional, I am concerned that in 2019, that this is considered acceptable practice by our region's major newspaper.

I find that troubling as well. However, the notion that one now should vote for female candidates in a county election to send the Post a message is ludicrous. Cancel your subscription if you still have one.

I don't understand what you're talking about. No one is saying that we should vote for female candidates to send a message to the Post. People will vote as they please. The point is that the Post is behaving in a manner that's unacceptable and discriminatory to women and its readers should know that.

This isn’t about your ”point.” It’s about silly questions by the Post and equally silly efforts by people you don’t know in a county where you don’t live to try and take advantage to those questions to gin up support for demonstrably less qualified candidates.

You don't get to decide what the "point" is, particularly when your reading comprehension is less than stellar. People who oppose sexism all over the DMV area have the right to speak up against practices by the Washington Post that have the effect of discriminating against candidates who are parents, particularly mothers.

Do you think just repeating yourself makes your posts more insightful? Hint: they do not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At this point I treat WaPo endorsements as a mark against a candidate in local elections

Exactly.

They're just woke-trolling people

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Many of those making the most hay over the WaPo’s local endorsements of mostly white men (they endorsed Rodney Lusk) are active FCDC members who’ve worked hard to ensure the FCDC endorsement - which means access to campaign money not available to others - was very slanted towards women (and an LBGQT activist).

But obviously the unrepresentative nature of the FCDC endorsements doesn’t bother you, though.

I've never heard of the FCDC. I don't live in Fairfax. I don't really care who wins. But as a woman, it bothers me that the Washington Post, which I read daily, is asking women about their ability to do a job because they have children. As a woman, and a mother and a professional, I am concerned that in 2019, that this is considered acceptable practice by our region's major newspaper.

I find that troubling as well. However, the notion that one now should vote for female candidates in a county election to send the Post a message is ludicrous. Cancel your subscription if you still have one.

I don't understand what you're talking about. No one is saying that we should vote for female candidates to send a message to the Post. People will vote as they please. The point is that the Post is behaving in a manner that's unacceptable and discriminatory to women and its readers should know that.

This isn’t about your ”point.” It’s about silly questions by the Post and equally silly efforts by people you don’t know in a county where you don’t live to try and take advantage to those questions to gin up support for demonstrably less qualified candidates.

You don't get to decide what the "point" is, particularly when your reading comprehension is less than stellar. People who oppose sexism all over the DMV area have the right to speak up against practices by the Washington Post that have the effect of discriminating against candidates who are parents, particularly mothers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Many of those making the most hay over the WaPo’s local endorsements of mostly white men (they endorsed Rodney Lusk) are active FCDC members who’ve worked hard to ensure the FCDC endorsement - which means access to campaign money not available to others - was very slanted towards women (and an LBGQT activist).

But obviously the unrepresentative nature of the FCDC endorsements doesn’t bother you, though.

I've never heard of the FCDC. I don't live in Fairfax. I don't really care who wins. But as a woman, it bothers me that the Washington Post, which I read daily, is asking women about their ability to do a job because they have children. As a woman, and a mother and a professional, I am concerned that in 2019, that this is considered acceptable practice by our region's major newspaper.

I find that troubling as well. However, the notion that one now should vote for female candidates in a county election to send the Post a message is ludicrous. Cancel your subscription if you still have one.

I don't understand what you're talking about. No one is saying that we should vote for female candidates to send a message to the Post. People will vote as they please. The point is that the Post is behaving in a manner that's unacceptable and discriminatory to women and its readers should know that.

This isn’t about your ”point.” It’s about silly questions by the Post and equally silly efforts by people you don’t know in a county where you don’t live to try and take advantage to those questions to gin up support for demonstrably less qualified candidates.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Many of those making the most hay over the WaPo’s local endorsements of mostly white men (they endorsed Rodney Lusk) are active FCDC members who’ve worked hard to ensure the FCDC endorsement - which means access to campaign money not available to others - was very slanted towards women (and an LBGQT activist).

But obviously the unrepresentative nature of the FCDC endorsements doesn’t bother you, though.

I've never heard of the FCDC. I don't live in Fairfax. I don't really care who wins. But as a woman, it bothers me that the Washington Post, which I read daily, is asking women about their ability to do a job because they have children. As a woman, and a mother and a professional, I am concerned that in 2019, that this is considered acceptable practice by our region's major newspaper.

I find that troubling as well. However, the notion that one now should vote for female candidates in a county election to send the Post a message is ludicrous. Cancel your subscription if you still have one.

I don't understand what you're talking about. No one is saying that we should vote for female candidates to send a message to the Post. People will vote as they please. The point is that the Post is behaving in a manner that's unacceptable and discriminatory to women and its readers should know that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Many of those making the most hay over the WaPo’s local endorsements of mostly white men (they endorsed Rodney Lusk) are active FCDC members who’ve worked hard to ensure the FCDC endorsement - which means access to campaign money not available to others - was very slanted towards women (and an LBGQT activist).

But obviously the unrepresentative nature of the FCDC endorsements doesn’t bother you, though.

I've never heard of the FCDC. I don't live in Fairfax. I don't really care who wins. But as a woman, it bothers me that the Washington Post, which I read daily, is asking women about their ability to do a job because they have children. As a woman, and a mother and a professional, I am concerned that in 2019, that this is considered acceptable practice by our region's major newspaper.

I find that troubling as well. However, the notion that one now should vote for female candidates in a county election to send the Post a message is ludicrous. Cancel your subscription if you still have one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Many of those making the most hay over the WaPo’s local endorsements of mostly white men (they endorsed Rodney Lusk) are active FCDC members who’ve worked hard to ensure the FCDC endorsement - which means access to campaign money not available to others - was very slanted towards women (and an LBGQT activist).

But obviously the unrepresentative nature of the FCDC endorsements doesn’t bother you, though.

I've never heard of the FCDC. I don't live in Fairfax. I don't really care who wins. But as a woman, it bothers me that the Washington Post, which I read daily, is asking women about their ability to do a job because they have children. As a woman, and a mother and a professional, I am concerned that in 2019, that this is considered acceptable practice by our region's major newspaper.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Many of those making the most hay over the WaPo’s local endorsements of mostly white men (they endorsed Rodney Lusk) are active FCDC members who’ve worked hard to ensure the FCDC endorsement - which means access to campaign money not available to others - was very slanted towards women (and an LBGQT activist).

But obviously the unrepresentative nature of the FCDC endorsements doesn’t bother you, though.

Anonymous wrote:OK, you are talking about school board endorsement process. That is different than primary elections.

How do the republicans endorse people for those school board spots?

All these people then go on the ballot in the general election without a party name behind them (although most are aware of which party endorses which candidates)

Independents can always run, as well.

Do you think the the FCRC slate is representative of the county? Because I highly doubt it.

Anonymous wrote:At this point I treat WaPo endorsements as a mark against a candidate in local elections