Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

2020 Presidential Hopefuls Honored Their Mothers With Heartfelt Tributes For Mother's Day

2020 Presidential Hopefuls Honored Their Mothers With Heartfelt Tributes For Mother's Day
Scott Olson/Getty Images, Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Presidential candidates for the 2020 election dedicated some time on the campaign trail to thank their moms on the occasion of Mother's Day.

Many expressed their gratitude for their mothers' love, guidance, and the encouragement to help carve themselves a path to become future leaders.


ABC News spoke with some of the hopefuls running in the race.

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg thanked his mother, Jennifer Anne Montgomery, a former Notre Dame professor.

"All through my upbringing, my mother gave me the best possible mix of love, encouragement, attention and space. At the core of my current effort is the chance to live out the values that I was raised with, and so mom is part of this campaign in even more ways than she knows."

Andrew Yang showed it is never too late to express gratitude.

He thanked his mother Nancy Yang, who is an immigrant from Taiwan and moved to the United States in the 1960s, with her husband Kei Hsiung Yang.

"Thank you, mom, for being there for me every day even when it was a pain and I was not grateful. I'm grateful now. I love you very much. Happy Mother's Day,"

A decade after Senator Kamala Harris's mother Shyamala Gopalan passed away, Harris remains eternally grateful for her Indian immigrant mother, who instilled in her the courage to act instead of complaining.

"She was smart and tough and fierce and protective. She was generous, loyal and funny. She had only two goals in life: to raise her two daughters and to end breast cancer."

Senator Kristin Gillibrand's mother, Polly Edwina Rutnik, is her fiercest ally and gave her unwavering support to seek a higher office.

"She was the only one who believed I could win my first race and she taught me how to believe in myself. I would not be where I am today without her love and support."

Rep. Tim Ryan was only seven years old when his parents divorced, but that didn't stop his mother, Rochelle Maria Rizzi, from successfully raising her son as a single mother.

"My mom always believed in me, and for a kid that is everything."

Senator Cory Booker said his mother, Carolyn Rose, once told him that "service is the rent you pay for living," and that powerful mantra has become an inspiration for him to pursue a political career as a way to work to pay it forward.

"I can always count on her to keep me grounded while also inspiring and pushing me to reach higher no matter what the obstacles are."

Rep. Seth Moulton said of his mother, Lynn Alice, who was a secretary:

"I feel lucky every day to have a mother who is so devoted to my brother, sister and me, but especially on Mother's Day. Here's to you mom!"

Republican politician and former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld's mother Mary Nichols Weld was a descendant of William Floyd, who was a signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Weld plans to primary against President Trump for the Republican nomination.

Weld's tribute to his mother is humble in nature.

"This is me and my mother having a snack at camp, nothing but the best: Ritz crackers and Hellman's mayo ... she read me 'Wind in the Willows' and 'Old Mother West Wind,' both of which I read every page of to all my children."

Joe Biden said of his late mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan:

"My mom was an incredible woman, and I miss her. She would always tell us that 'courage is the greatest virtue because without courage you cannot love with abandon.' She lived her life that way, loving us with abandon."

Democratic candidate Wayne Messam shared some lessons he learned from his mother, Delsey.

"She encouraged me to be a positive person, dream big and never be afraid to do what others aren't willing to do for the benefit of others."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said of her mom Carol:

"My mom is truly amazing — a teacher, entrepreneur, wife and mother to 5 children — she has inspired me throughout my life through her example of strength, patience, kindness, courage, integrity and unconditional love."

Texan candidate Beto O'Rourke called his mother Melissa a "great role model" for her kindness towards others.

"I really lucked out by having a mom who truly loves her family unconditionally, who encourages us and who is a great role model that inspires me every day with her kindness and the generosity she shows to everyone."

Marianne Willamson paid tribute to her mother, Sophie Ann.

"I didn't realize when I was growing up how lucky I was to have such good and loving parents, but I realize it now."

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet's mother Susanne Klejman is a survivor of the Holocaust who's history inspired her son to pursue politics.

"She was able to provide her kids more chances than she ever had, instilling in [me] the belief that our job as Americans is to extend opportunity so others can rise."

Julian Castro's mother Maria "Rosie" Castro was a political activist who helped establish Chicano political party La Raza Unida and inspired both Castro and his twin brother, Representative Joaquin Castro, to run for public service.

"My role model, my inspiration in public service and the best part is she's my mom."

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper expressed his gratitude for his mother Anne Doughten.

"She taught me that we have an obligation to create joy and happiness in our lives. Thanks, mom, and to all moms, for showing us the way."

Mother's day proved that behind every great candidate is always a powerful woman.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Screenshots of Justin Bieber being hounded by paparazzi
X17OnlineVideo

Fans Defend Justin Bieber After He Confronts Paparazzi For Constantly Hounding Him

Fans defended Justin Bieber after he berated the relentless paparazzi and accused them of only being concerned with turning a profit over valuing people's lives.

According to X17, the "Intentions" singer's retreat to Palm Springs, days before the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, was anything but relaxing as he clashed with the paparazzi for a third day in a row.

Keep ReadingShow less
RFK Jr.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

RFK Jr. Slammed After Claiming HHS Will Discover The Cause Of 'Autism Epidemic' By September

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that scientists would determine the cause of the "autism epidemic" by September, even though scientists haven't discovered a breakthrough despite decades of research.

In a cabinet meeting with Republican President Donald Trump on Thursday, RFK Jr. stated:

Keep ReadingShow less
J.D. Vance and Usha Vance listen to Susan Meyers during his Greenland visit
Jim Watson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Space Force Commander Fired Over Email Criticizing Vance's Greenland Comments

Vice President J.D. Vance and the wider Trump administration are facing criticism now that Colonel Susan Meyers was removed from her post as commander at Greenland's Pituffik Space Base after breaking with Vance in an email she wrote following his controversial visit to the island territory.

Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, alongside the Faroe Islands, the only other autonomous territory within the Kingdom. Citizens of both Greenland and the Faroe Islands are full citizens of Denmark. As one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union, Greenland’s citizens are also recognized as EU citizens.

Keep ReadingShow less
Karoline Leavitt and Scott Bessent
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Karoline Leavitt Dragged After Making Mind-Numbing Claim About Trump's Tariffs Reversal

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is getting called out after she attempted to justify President Donald Trump's sudden reversal on his proposed tariffs, telling reporters that his actions make sense because he has a master plan to make the world bend the knee.

Trump declared a full 90-day suspension of all the “reciprocal” tariffs that took effect at midnight April 10—except for those on China—in a dramatic about-face from a president who had long championed his historically high tariff rates as permanent.

Keep ReadingShow less
religion signs
Noah Holm on Unsplash

People Explain What Stopped Them From Going To Church Anymore

There's been a perception of a bit of an exodus from religion for the last several decades. But humanity has gone from no organized religions to oppressive religious regimes to rebellion and back again over the last several millennia.

But is the 21st century when religion finally fails to bounce back?

Keep ReadingShow less