Beyond Book Bans: What it Actually Looks Like when Politics and Parenting Meet with State Senator Lindsey Daugherty
What does it look like when an elected official prioritizes common sense over party politics? In this episode of Momarchy, we sit down with Colorado State Senator Lindsey Daugherty, who's made a name for herself as a moderate voice willing to challenge extremes on both sides.
We're diving into the uncomfortable truths about why politics are failing families (spoiler: it’s not actually about book bans), like accessibility to child care, why normal people don't want to run for office anymore, and how being a mom changes everything about how you approach policy. Plus, Lindsey gets brutally honest about pumping breast milk during late-night committee hearings and why she'll "die on a hill" to protect children's best interests over parental convenience.
Lindsey Daugherty is a state senator and represents areas including Jefferson County, Arvada, and Westminster. She graduated from the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver. She has done a significant amount of work supporting children in the foster care system. She is also the vice chair of the newly formed “Opportunity Caucus” in Colorado, whose goal is to bring more center-left Democrats together.
We Discuss:
05:26 - Favorite DU bars and Real Housewives confessions
09:57 - Biggest fears about where politics is headed
13:15 - What keeps you showing up when you're burned out
17:26 - How more moms in office would change everything
21:29 - Pardon My Politics: Who really defines "parental rights"?
25:18 - Why performative culture wars get more attention than women's lives
27:09 - The political issue everyone talks about privately
29:25 - Being pregnant in the legislature (and pumping during votes)
32:31 - What keeps you up at night as a mom
35:39 - Holding both fear and hope in this moment
Learn more about:
Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.
Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.
Substack: @momarchy
Instagram: @momarchypodcast
Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com
Find more from Senator Lindsey Daugherty:
Website: https://www.lindseyforcolorado.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindseyforcolorado
