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Our Pinal County Policy and Procedures 1.30.A, states quite clearly that no county employee “shall be a candidate for nomination or election to any paid partisan political office.” This is to distinguish from elected officials in their final year of office.
Even the federal Hatch Act addresses this issue by proclaiming that “a state or local officer or employee may not be a candidate for elective office.” If the federal government concludes that a county violates the Hatch Act, that jurisdiction may lose federal funds. I do not want to see the county lose vital funding.
Taxpayers should not have to question if a county employee is using your taxpayer dollars, taxpayer funded equipment or transportation to further his or her own campaign. It calls into question whether they are working or campaigning while fulfilling their duties.
The public has the right to expect good government and good policy from Pinal County. They do not need a county official who intends to run for another position to be collecting full time pay while seeking partisan office, raising money or conducting public events and speaking engagements.
It is not my intention of trying to squelch anyone’s passion for public service. Just don’t do it on the taxpayer’s dime.
