Yeah! I'm unemployed! Actually, I have taken a leave of absence from the State Office of Education so that I can devote my time to the campaign and avoid bringing political pressure (or should I say MORE political pressure) to bear on the State Board.
My boss and I discussed my leave soon after I filed to run for attorney general. Though I have had several months to prepare, leaving my job is a bit disturbing. First, I am concerned about the additional work this creates for my boss, Carol. Over the course of my nine years at the office, Carol has made several accommodations for me, all without complaint. She adjusted to my first leave when I left the office to write editorials for the Tribune, she adjusted to my second, shorter leave when I gave birth to my third child, and she is adjusting to this leave. She is a fabulous boss and friend, which makes it all the more difficult to leave her short-handed (a new law grad is filling in for me, but training her will take time from Carol's busy schedule).
Second, there's that whole paycheck thing. My husband is a teacher at Judge Memorial High School--in other words, he just doesn't make quite enough for three children, two adults, and dog to live on. We have saved up for me to take this leave, but if the cost of gas and groceries continue to increase, the last few weeks of the campaign may be interesting!
However, taking a leave was the right thing to do for me, my family, the State Office, and my campaign. Campaigning is a full time job and trying to fit in both the campaign and work left little time for my family. Further, the State Office of Education already takes enough flak from some politicians and doesn't need to give anyone the extra ammunition of having a staffer who is actively campaigning for a high political office. And my campaign staffers deserve my full time and attention. Plus, we have an office in one of the most beautiful buildings in the state (did you see that photo)!
So I am unemployed--but not for long!
My boss and I discussed my leave soon after I filed to run for attorney general. Though I have had several months to prepare, leaving my job is a bit disturbing. First, I am concerned about the additional work this creates for my boss, Carol. Over the course of my nine years at the office, Carol has made several accommodations for me, all without complaint. She adjusted to my first leave when I left the office to write editorials for the Tribune, she adjusted to my second, shorter leave when I gave birth to my third child, and she is adjusting to this leave. She is a fabulous boss and friend, which makes it all the more difficult to leave her short-handed (a new law grad is filling in for me, but training her will take time from Carol's busy schedule).
Second, there's that whole paycheck thing. My husband is a teacher at Judge Memorial High School--in other words, he just doesn't make quite enough for three children, two adults, and dog to live on. We have saved up for me to take this leave, but if the cost of gas and groceries continue to increase, the last few weeks of the campaign may be interesting!
However, taking a leave was the right thing to do for me, my family, the State Office, and my campaign. Campaigning is a full time job and trying to fit in both the campaign and work left little time for my family. Further, the State Office of Education already takes enough flak from some politicians and doesn't need to give anyone the extra ammunition of having a staffer who is actively campaigning for a high political office. And my campaign staffers deserve my full time and attention. Plus, we have an office in one of the most beautiful buildings in the state (did you see that photo)!
So I am unemployed--but not for long!
1 comments:
Does that mean as AG you will take a leave of absence when you go up for re-election because it is a "full time" job? Will criminals just be allowed to run wild during the summer months because your re-election is so important?
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