Connecticut political candidates will not be allowed to use public campaign finances for their child care, officials announced Wednesday.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission rejected a petition to use public financing for child care.

The news is a big blow to Caitlin Clarkson Pereira,  of Fairfield. Pereira ran for a state House seat last year, says it was impossible to campaign because of mounting child care bills. Pereira's 4-year-old daughter ended up tagging along with her mom to hours of campaign events.

Pereira says she may take the case to court.

"I am certainly not afraid, whatsover about filing that suit, if needed, to make sure that women and single parents and families have the opportunity to run for office," says Pereira.

Hillary Clinton even took up Pereira's case on Twitter, but in the end state regulators say Connecticut's public financing law considers child care a personal expense.

The all-male commission says it is up to lawmakers to go back and change the rules.

"We should be doing more to encourage women to run for office, and that is why I am urging the General Assembly to fix this wrong." said Gov. Lamont. "Send me legislation clearly stating that child care is a permitted campaign expenditure, and I will sign it into law."