Power Trip
What It’s Like Being a Latina Running for Congress in 2018
An anonymous candidate on spending her days smiling as her opponents insult her heritage and mortify her mother
It’s no secret that not enough women, particularly women of color, run for office, but I wasn’t sure exactly why until I quit my job to become part of the surge of female candidates on the ballot for the first time in November. With little more than a month to go, I now know there’s an obstacle course just for us (in addition to the many hoops every candidate must clear).
There’s the Mexican Catholic mom guilt about missing time with my children, and then there’s the mom guilt, from my own loving mother, who can’t wait for me to return to private life (even before the votes are tallied). There’s being a female candidate who’s repeatedly criticized for my husband’s career. There’s being a proud Latina and choosing to run a positive campaign while ignoring ugly, racist flyers and messages so I can serve my district on the border. And then there’s the money (quitting my job to raise it — and cringing every single time I have to call friends to ask for another donation). My middle-class family lives check to check. This is the biggest gamble of our lives.
