Lawmaker Exercises Working-Mother Convictions on His Employee

Kelly Ginster thinks mothers should stay home to raise their children. Her boss of seven years, conservative state Rep. Jack Horton, agrees.

So when Ginster, 36, adopted an infant daughter this fall, Horton thought it best that she stay home. The Republican, who represents Lowell in the Michigan Legislature, demanded her resignation Dec. 11.

Horton has said he was as unhappy with Ginster’s poor performance on the job as he was with her decision to have a child and work. He said he will stick with his decision.

“It’s an issue of conscience,” Horton told Lansing-based Gongwer News Service. “How can I deny the philosophy that it is better for women to be home nurturing? But that doesn’t negate the performance issue.”

Ginster said all her performance reviews were positive and that Horton didn’t mention her work when he told her he wanted her to leave.

“I believe a lot of the ills that America suffers is because moms are not at home,” Ginster said. “But I think that is a decision that should be made between a husband and a wife.”

Horton led state Republicans last session in welfare reform changes, including those requiring welfare mothers to work 20 hours a week.