CALGARY — Being a new mom is not a small feat, so imagine doing it while also running an election campaign.
That’s what the Conservative candidate for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake is doing.
Laila Goodridge gave birth to her son Eoghan, also her first child, on Aug. 28 at 4:30 a.m. She took a couple of days off but was back on the campaign trail within a few days.
Spending the next few days getting to know my newest volunteer before getting back to the doors. We are so in love.#Elxn44 pic.twitter.com/ukq8nbELNl
— Laila Goodridge (@LailaGoodridge) August 30, 2021
Goodridge says her friends and family have been helping out with baby Eoghan, admitting that the balance of motherhood and politics can be a challenge.
“It’s definitely doable. My husband actually started his parental leave the day I went into labour so the timing couldn’t have worked out better.”
Goodridge says making sure she gets enough sleep and food has been a bit more important to her this go-round as compared to other campaigns she’s been a part of.
“He’s been a champ. He sleeps very well so we’ve just been getting out and going door-to-door every single evening and he stays home with dad and I come home and feed him in between. I’m making a lot more phone calls than I would normally make because I can only be away from him for so long at a time but it’s been spectacular.”
She says being a new mom has given her a very different perspective that she hopes to bring to Ottawa if elected.
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Goodridge isn’t new to politics. She was first elected in a by-election in the northern Alberta riding in 2018 after former Wildrose leader Brian Jean stepped down. She was re-elected in 2019.
She resigned earlier this summer to run in the federal election.
Goodridge says being a parent shouldn’t deter people from getting into politics.
“We need more diverse voices to be seen. We need to have these voices around the different cabinet tables, caucus tables, in the Legislature, in committee meetings,” said Goodridge, encouraging anyone, especially women, who might be interested to get involved.
“Being in your childbearing years should not be a detriment to you running for public office. It hasn’t been for men for decades and decades,” she said.
