in 1903, mccombs married james mccombs, a strong socialist who had also been involved with the progressive liberal association. they were to have two children, and adopted two more. james mccombs was active in left-wing political circles, and was later to become an mp for the social democratic party. when the labour party was founded in 1916, he became its first president. at the same time, elizabeth mccombs was elected to the party's executive, alongside another woman, sarah snow.