Republican dads are leading by example

At home and in office, N.C. fathers are redefining family values by living them

Rep. Mike Schietzelt’s son was done sitting still. The 18-month-old squirmed in his lap, missing a shoe and clinging to dad as the freshman lawmaker’s turn to speak finally arrived.

Schietzelt glanced at his wife — should she take him outside? Then he thought: This is a friendly crowd. Why not?

So he took the microphone in one hand and his son in the other and addressed the GOP meeting in a scene captured on social media. It wasn’t a grand gesture. It wasn’t staged. But it sent a message.

At a time when birthrates are plummeting and more Americans than ever are opting out of parenthood, Schietzelt showed that being a father and a public servant aren’t just compatible — they’re powerful together.

Parenthood on the campaign trail isn’t new, but something about this moment feels different. There’s a new crop of Republican leaders with young children who are unapologetic about their balancing act while in office.

At the national level, Vice President J.D. Vance illustrated this beautifully whe…