money What is Moms for Liberty? Here's a look at its roots, its philosophy and its mission
Moms for Liberty is the most high-profile new group to emerge from the emotionally-charged debates around recent school policies, particularly COVID-19 safety measures.
Known for challenging school officials on issues such as mask mandates, Moms for Liberty members — wearing their signature navy blue T-shirts — have been a constant presence in many school board meetings recently.
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Few political groups have grown so large, so quickly. Here’s an overview of the organization and its leaders.
Where did Moms for Liberty start?
Moms for Liberty started in Florida and is based in Melbourne, in Brevard County.
The group was incorporated Jan. 1. It has grown rapidly in less than a year, and now claims 70,000 members across 165 chapters in 33 states.
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Who are the founders of Moms for Liberty?
A trio of current and former Florida school board members founded Moms for Liberty. They are: former Brevard County School Board member Tina Descovich, former Indian River County School Board member Tiffany Justice and Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler.
Ziegler has since left the group to focus on other commitments and Marie Rogerson, a campaign consultant, is now the third-leading member of the group.
What are the goals of Moms for Liberty?
Moms for Liberty leaders say they want to empower parents and help them better understand how school districts operate and how to influence district policies. To do that, chapters meet regularly to discuss school board agenda items.
The group also aims to elect like-minded school board members, and is gearing up to have an impact on the 2022 campaign cycle.
Does Moms for Liberty have a political affiliation?
Moms for Liberty leaders say their group is nonpartisan, but grounded in “conservative values.”
All three of the founders are registered Republicans and the group has ties to Republican leaders in Florida. Ziegler’s husband is the vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida and Rogerson was paid to do campaign work for Republican state Rep. Randy Fine, whose campaign has donated to Moms for Liberty. Other Republican leaders also have donated to the group.
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Who is funding Moms for Liberty?
As a 501(c)(4) social-welfare nonprofit, Moms for Liberty does not have to disclose its donors. Moms for Liberty leaders dismiss speculation that big conservative donors are funding the group, even as the organization paid former Fox News host Megyn Kelly to appear at an event. Descovich said the group has an annual budget of $300,000. Based on campaign finance information and a Moms for Liberty Facebook post, a number of Republican leaders have contributed to the organization by sponsoring the Kelly event.
Follow Herald-Tribune Political Editor Zac Anderson on Twitter at @zacjanderson. He can be reached at zac.anderson@heraldtribune.com
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Moms for Liberty: Chapters, members, founders, funding, things to know
