My opponent says I don’t have the time to be a Senator. Here’s my answer.
I promised to keep this campaign positive and focused on the facts. But staying positive doesn’t mean staying quiet when a message undermines the very people I’m fighting to represent.
My opponent has been telling voters that I won’t have enough time to serve in the State Senate because I’m a full-time working mother with two children. I think it’s worth asking why, in 2026, we’re still questioning whether a woman can lead because she’s also a mother.
Let’s talk about what that message really says.
It tells working mothers that no matter how hard they work, how much they give back, or how committed they are to their communities, they still have to prove they belong at the table. It tells women who balance careers, school drop-offs, dinner, sleepless nights, and everything in between that stepping up to serve their communities might be asking too much.
I’ve spent this campaign talking with parents across Vermont who are doing everything they can to give their families a good life. I’ve met parents working night shifts who worry they’re not doing enough, and young families losing sleep wondering whether they can afford to stay in the state they love. These are the people I’m running for. They don’t need another person questioning whether they can handle one more responsibility. They need leaders who understand their lives and are willing to fight for a better future for their families.
I knew I wanted to run for office while giving birth to my youngest daughter, Reagan. At that moment, I was thinking about the future we were bringing our children into. I wanted to be a voice for my kids and their friends, our neighbors, teachers, bus drivers, and everyone who makes our communities what they are. They all deserve the opportunity to stay, grow, raise a family, and love living in Vermont.
Motherhood hasn’t made me less capable of serving. It has made me more determined to.
It has taught me patience, grit, perspective, and how to fight for what matters. Since 2023, I’ve worked full-time, raised my children, and served as your State Representative. I’ve stayed up late working on legislation and gotten up early to hear from constituents at community events. I’ve shown up, done the work, and fought for the people I represent. I’m proud of that record, and I’m ready to keep going.
Look around Vermont. Working mothers are business owners, healthcare professionals, teachers, community volunteers, and leaders in every corner of our state. They are already doing the work that keeps our communities moving forward. We should be encouraging more women to lead, not suggesting they are less qualified because they have children at home.
I won’t accept the idea that being a mother disqualifies me from serving, and I won’t stand by while that same message is sent to other women. We should be asking how we can make it easier for working parents to serve their communities, not using their family responsibilities as a reason to keep them out.
Vermont has a citizen legislature for a reason. Our state is best served when the people making decisions in Montpelier understand the realities of everyday life. We need legislators who work to put food on the table, have children in our schools, navigate the cost of childcare, and understand what it takes to make ends meet. Those lived experiences aren’t distractions from the job. They are part of what makes someone an effective representative.
That’s also why one contradiction in this debate stands out to me. My opponent has said they supported the legislative pay increase to help open the door for young Vermonters to serve. I voted against my own pay raise because I believe we have a responsibility to be mindful of what the average Vermonter is facing. Yet when a young working mother steps forward to serve in the Senate, I’m criticized for whether I have the time to do the job.
We cannot say we want more young Vermonters involved in public service while discouraging them when they actually step up.
Voters deserve a campaign focused on the issues that matter: affordability, housing, education, and making sure the next generation has a future here. I’m proud of the record I’ve built over the last four years. I’m not running because I have unlimited time or because balancing work and family is always easy. I’m running because I know what Vermont families are up against, because I believe our communities deserve better, and because I’m willing to put in the work to make a difference
I’m a working mom, a legislator, and a Vermonter who believes we can build a state where families don’t have to choose between making a living and building a life. I’m excited to serve you in the State Senate, and I’d be honored to have your support.
With gratitude,
Ashley
There's 22 days until the election. Knowing she's behind, my opponent is getting desperate; flinging insults and personal attacks online. We don't know what else she'll throw at us but we're ready.
I promise we'll continue to stay above it all. We won't be stoop to her level but we will point out clear policy differences. Please help us sprint to the finish line with a donation today.
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