Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is on a brief leave this month after the birth of her first child, her office confirmed Friday in a statement that said officials had prepared for her absence as election season gets into full swing.
Griswold, a Democrat who is the state’s highest election official, confirmed she had a “healthy baby boy” with husband Mario Cañedo in a statement to The Denver Post. She gave birth in late August and will be fully back from leave in early October, before ballots are mailed out starting Oct. 11, her office said.
“As a new working parent, I am in consistent communication with my leadership team and look forward to a great 2024 general election” in November, Griswold said.
In a separate statement, her office said Griswold “and staff prepared for months in advance of the arrival of her baby. Secretary Griswold is in daily communication with Department leadership, especially given the upcoming presidential election. Colorado will continue to have safe and secure elections this November.”
Griswold is not the first prominent official in the state to have a child while in office. Now-U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen gave birth to her son in early 2020, when she was a state senator, shortly after the legislative session began.
Pettersen is now pregnant with a second child, with a due date in early February.
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