Conservative parental rights group Moms for Liberty is planning to spend over $3 million on a multi-state advertising campaign to increase its membership and engage voters before the November elections. Despite initially focusing on local school board races, the group will specifically target voters in Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, all key presidential battleground states. The campaign also includes criticizing the Biden administration, and the group hopes to expand its efforts to three other swing states.
The group’s increased political activity has raised questions about its funding and intentions. While Moms for Liberty has traditionally positioned itself as a grassroots organization, co-founder Tina Descovich revealed that “investors” approached the group wanting to see it grow in specific states. The nonprofit is not required to disclose its funders, but records show that its affiliated PAC has received substantial contributions from a conservative billionaire-funded PAC. Critics, including the American Federation of Teachers, have questioned the group’s transparency and motivations.
Moms for Liberty plans to expand its campaign to other swing states and grow its grassroots chapters to involve more parents in political action. The group aims to activate members who are not yet registered to vote and educate them on engaging at all levels of government. While the group does not endorse in presidential races, it has launched a campaign that includes criticizing President Biden for new Title IX regulations and supporting a lawsuit against those rules.
The group’s advertising blitz comes at a time of recent scandals and controversies, including a sex assault investigation involving the husband of a co-founder. Despite negative publicity, Moms for Liberty remains committed to its mission and believes that its work is essential despite scrutiny. The organization has faced criticism for some actions of its local chapters, including associating with far-right groups and using controversial quotes. Despite these challenges, Moms for Liberty is moving forward with its political campaigns.
In North Carolina, a key swing state targeted by Moms for Liberty, the upcoming state school superintendent race will feature Republican Michele Morrow, a conservative activist supported by the group, against Democrat Maurice “Mo” Green. Green has criticized Morrow and Moms for Liberty for spreading “conspiracy theories and hateful propaganda” that demean teachers, students, and parents. The race is seen as pivotal for the future of public education in the state, with contrasting visions for the education system at stake.
As Moms for Liberty expands its political activities and seeks to influence key swing states in the upcoming elections, the group’s intentions, funding sources, and impact on education policy are under scrutiny. The group’s decision to engage in national advertising campaigns and target swing states marks a shift in its approach, raising questions about its grassroots image and true motivations. Despite facing challenges and controversies, Moms for Liberty remains determined to advocate for parental rights and shape the conversation around education policy in the United States.
