Kail Introduces Legislation Preventing Statewide Positions from Being Used as Political Stepping Stones
2/3/2020
HARRISBURG – To ensure that people filling important statewide positions are focused on the job rather than pursuit of another opportunity, Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) has introduced legislation that would bar people holding important, non-partisan offices from using those positions as an election platform.

The legislation would prohibit anyone who is actively serving as the Attorney General, State Treasurer or Auditor General from running for governor. It would also prevent anyone who has held those positions from running for governor until two years after serving in those capacities.

“Statewide row offices are inherently non-political positions that focus on non-partisan issues like justice and finance. These offices should be respected as the critical and impactful positions that they are, rather than a grandstanding platform to boost one’s campaign position for higher office,” Kail explained.

In addition to preventing grandstanding, the legislation is designed to eliminate the manipulation of timing of political candidacy announcements.

“In our current politically volatile environment, it is critical that the citizens of the Commonwealth can trust our row officers to be fair and impartial stewards who are focused solely on doing the jobs to which they were entrusted,” Kail said.

After the cosponsorship memo has been circulated to gain support from Kail’s colleagues, it will be assigned to a committee for further review.

Representative Joshua Kail
15th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Alison Evans
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