Is there a fatherhood bonus or a motherhood penalty for political candidates? Extensive research on gender gaps in pay and the labor force suggest that, on having children, mothers tend to be penalized, while fathers are often rewarded. Experimental studies applied to politics offer mixed evidence, with some reporting that men politicians are rewarded for having children more than women are while others find no such evidence. Thus far little research investigates this question using observational data at the candidate level. We argue that similar dynamics could be at play in politics, with parenthood impacting the chances of electoral success for women and men in different ways. To test this argument, we use data from the Comparative Candidate Survey to explore patterns of self-predicted and actual electoral success and motivation to run for office by gender and parenthood across countries and over time. Initial results suggest an interactive effect between gender and parenthood: parenthood is linked to different patterns of electoral success for men versus women. We report evidence consistent with a fatherhood bonus, but not a motherhood penalty. Men who have dependent children are more likely to win their election than men without children. For women, conversely, having dependent children is not associated with different chances of electoral success. These descriptive findings highlight the ongoing political relevance of the gendered dynamics of parenthood.