My Iowa Caucus story

Or lack thereof, really.

Katie Porter

Jan 17

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I have a confession: I was living in Iowa during the 2008 caucus, and I didn’t go. I couldn’t find anyone to watch Luke, my oldest son who at the time was a toddler.

Child care is a huge issue for the Iowa caucuses, which historically happen late at night and last hours. Anyone who has been around kids knows an evening start for a baby is going to be bad news—you have kids sleeping on gym floors and others crying.

Now, you might be wondering how I, someone born and raised in Iowa, could skip the caucus. But every four years, the politicians came to our local diners and churches, shook hands, and promised big things and big changes. But time and time again I watched those politicians fail to deliver, or even come back to our small towns. While these men promised booming economies, I saw my rural town struggle amidst the Farm Crisis.

My experience growing up in Iowa, a place where politicians seemed to deliver nothing but soggy yard signs, still shapes my work today.

We can and must do better, and that’s why I’m in this race—yard signs and all. I’m proud to be “doing Congress” differently, by not accepting money from corporate PACs, by being the only Democrat to oppose funding for politicians’ wasteful pet projects, and by leading the fight to ban congressional stock trading.

If you’d like to join our team by making a contribution, I’d be so grateful!

I haven’t forgotten about the questions readers submitted last month! Today I’m addressing one that asked about my advice for other single parents out there.

When it comes to parenting, I tell people you are probably not going to find perfect balance.

The balance I go for is more “balanced like riding a bike.” It might be a little wobbly at times. There will be hills, and it’s okay to admit those are hard (parenting isn’t easy!). There will also be areas you can cruise downhill. Enjoy and savor those moments. And when you can, take breaks. Those breaks will allow you to come back stronger, healthier, and ready to tackle the next challenge.

But I can’t answer this question without reminding folks that our current system doesn’t do enough to support families, whether you have two parents in the home or not. Less than 25% of American workers have access to paid family leave. Reliable child care is difficult to secure, and expensive when you do. In Orange County, where I live, the median cost of infant child care in a child care center is nearly $20,000 per year. And on top of all that, housing, health care and education costs—all things that weigh heavy on families—continue to rise.

Being a parent in America today is rewarding but hard, and it’s okay to admit that. If there’s a magic answer out there, I haven’t found it yet!

Thanks for reading,

Katie Porter