Candidates can use campaign funds for child care in Georgia and most other states, but few do

Georgia Democratic Sen. Kim Jackson has two boys — a 3-year-old and a 4-month old. Her older son attends daycare but finding someone to watch him when Jackson is campaigning for reelection in the evenings and on weekends is a tricky scheduling and financial puzzle.

“It’s really hard to be accessible to your constituents if you’re not accessible during non-traditional daycare hours,” Jackson said.

Georgia started allowing candidates to use money from their campaign finances to pay for child care costs in 2023. Jackson is taking advantage of the policy for the first time this year after she and her wife adopted their eldest son last year.