Kelly Ripa

By Diane Herbst

09/26/2003 at 01:00 PM EDT

Kelly Ripa has her hands full as a TV host, sitcom star, mother and wife, but she recently made time for two more roles: political booster and proud daughter. She and husband Mark Consuelos recently attended an $850-a-plate Democratic fund-raiser at the exclusive Tavistock Country Club for her father, Joe Ripa, a former transit union president and Democrat running for Camden County, N.J., freeholder. Ripa's family is from Berlin Borough, part of Camden County.

Ripa, 32, took time out from stumping to speak with PEOPLE about her own full plate – which includes Live with Regis and Kelly, her new ABC sitcom Hope & Faith, (which premieres Sept. 26 and costars Faith Ford) and tending to three children, Michael, 6, Lola Grace, 2, and Joaquin, 7 months.

Any new stuff going on with Regis?
Yeah, he's gonna do a new role on (Hope & Faith).

What will he play?
I can tell you but then I'd have to burn your tape recorder.

So, how is the new show?
Everything's so good, we're having the best time.

Is it tough to juggle motherhood, marriage and two TV shows?
Both of my shows are great. They're really not a lot of work. I get to bring my kids to work with me, it's not so hard, and my oldest boy is in school all day. It probably looks complicated because I'm not a very organized person and I make everything look difficult.

What are the hours like?
My hours are very good. I get to Live with Regis and Kelly at 7:30 and get out of there at 10, and I'm at the other show at 11:30 and am done by 4 at the latest. I'm home before dinner time every night.