WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Child Care for Every Family Network (La Red)—representing over 2,000 state and national organizations, child care providers, impacted families, and organizers across the country—celebrates incredible victories across the country that showcase the public appetite for universal child care: New York City’s Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, New Jersey’s Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill, and Virginia’s Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger have all won their races.

“Polling has long shown us that Americans of every political persuasion are looking for leaders who will deliver on a child care system that works for early educators, families, kids, and our economy. On the heels of New Mexico launching their first-of-its-kind universal child care program earlier this week, tonight’s victories in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia make it clear that the future of child care is universal,” said Andrea Paulso and Erica Gallegos, Co-Directors of the Child Care for Every Family Network. 

“Child care shows us what solidarity looks like in practice – people showing up for one another and building the conditions for liberation from the ground up. To make it truly universal is to claim it as a public good that belongs to all of us. This victory has sparked hope far beyond New York, and we intend to see that momentum grow until equity and justice are the standard everywhere,” said Marina Marcou-O’Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, our Co-Executive Directors of Alliance for Quality Education New York (AQE New York). 

“New York City has elected a true champion for children, educators and working families,” said Carolyn-Martinez Class and Rebecca Garrard, Co-Executive Directors of Citizen Action of New York. “Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani understands that access to affordable and quality childcare isn’t a luxury or a privilege—it’s a lifeline and the foundation of strong, safe, and equitable communities. The rest of the state and our country must follow New York City’s lead and elect strong local leaders who pledge to make bold, sustained investments in childcare, because our families can’t wait.”

“Working families have struggled to access quality childcare,” said Jasmine Gripper, Co-Director of the New York Working Families Party. “The high cost of child care has caused huge financial strain on working families. For too long our elected leaders have ignored the problem at the expense of New Yorkers. Today is a new day – we are proud to help elect a new generation of leaders committed to fighting for working families and ready to deliver on the promise of universal child care. The voters have spoken, they urgently want elected leaders to address the child care crisis and enact universal child care.”

“As Congresswoman, Governor-Elect Sherrill recently co-sponsored the re-introduction of the Child Care for Every Community Act alongside Sen. Warren and has called for investments in child care so that it is treated as the essential infrastructure that it is,” said Yarrow Willman-Cole, Workplace Justice Program Director of New Jersey Citizen Action. “Her championing of child care has helped win over New Jersey families and voters in this critical election year. We look forward to working with her administration to advance affordable Child Care for All in New Jersey.”

“New Jersey voters have rejected authoritarian politics and policies that serve millionaires and billionaires. We have rejected Trumpism,” said Trina Scordo, Executive Director of NJ Communities United. “New Jersey voters have chosen to vote for working class issues such as affordable child care and healthcare; controlled utility costs; and fair housing. We look forward to working with our new governor to ensure working class New Jersey families get the economic relief they so desperately need.”

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