Alumni Spotlight: Caitlin Clarkson Pereira
Since 2017, Run For Something has endorsed over 900 candidates for state and local office. Each month, we’re offering a closer look at some of our most prolific alumni. In 2018, Caitlin Clarkson Pereira ran for the Connecticut State House in District 132. Although Caitlin was unsuccessful for her bid, she continued to make waves across the country, advocating for the use of campaign funding to pay for candidate childcare. Caitlin has continued to work to make Connecticut a more equitable place. Take a look below:
What have you been up to since running for office?
I woke up on November 7th with the same passions that I had on November 6th. Just because I didn’t win my seat didn’t mean that those passions dissipated. I was appointed to the governor’s transition team and worked on policy issues related to women in Connecticut. I have been working with Connecticut Against Gun Violence to get four GVP bill passed this legislative session. And somehow, the fight for child care reimbursements with campaign dollars here in our state is not over. I am currently working with a team of attorneys to bring a suit against the State of Connecticut for discrimination.
How has running for office allowed you to positively affect your local government, community, etc.?
I have been an advocate and activist my whole life, but running forced me to dive into the deep end of many issues. My fight related to child care has not only been empowering for me, but for other women and men, as well. We have spent decades negotiating and compromising on things that we just cannot give into any longer. I have no fear to speak the truth and to remind voters that they control who is in office.
When did you know you wanted to run for office?
The morning after the 2016 election, I knew something had to change. I was not going to allow my daughter and her peers to grow up in a world that was taking steps backwards instead of forwards. I waited for someone to come forward with a similar vision and values as me. When they didn’t appear, I knew it was up to me to personally get in the race.
What did running for office teach you about yourself?
Running for office taught me fear can be overcome by determination, that each of us has the ability to make an impact, that our children are watching everything we do, and that comfort zones are overrated.
What did running for office teach you about your community?
Politicians have this terrible habit of talking — not listening. People in the community want someone they can trust and who will listen to their concerns. We are representing them, not the other way around.
Do you have a memorable moment or funny story from the campaign trail?
Our democratic town committee held a huge rally at the beginning of family separation. I was asked to speak to the crowd, hoping to empower them to act and to remind them that none of us are helpless. As I was speaking about how lucky I am to be able to come home to my three-year-old daughter every day, she left her father’s side and walked up the steps to me at the microphone. I picked her up and finished my speech with her in my arms. It was a moment that not even the best movie director could have planned. It was authentic and touching, and reinforced the pain the families must have been experiencing.
What advice would you give someone who is sitting on the fence about running for office?
No matter what anyone tells you, YOU are qualified. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don’t let anyone tell you to, “wait your turn.” The time to act is now. If any fiber of you thinks you might wake up the morning after the election and regret not running, there is only one thing to do — run.
