After Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his intention to support a change to the law limiting New York City officeholders to two four-year terms in office, Campaign Finance Board Chairman Joseph P. Parkes, S. J., issued the following statement:
“As reports have appeared in the past several weeks suggesting term limits could be extended, the Board began discussing the impact any changes would have on the Campaign Finance Program.
“If the law is changed, some candidates seeking higher office may decide to change their plans and run for their current seat. Others may decide to suspend their campaigns if term limits are extended. While the law is clear about the contribution limits that apply for different offices, there are more complicated questions, including those about the spending limits, which must be resolved.
“We need to make it practical for candidates who wish to join the Campaign Finance Program to do so. We need to make sure we treat both incumbents and potential challengers fairly. And any solution should encourage—not discourage—competitive races for all offices covered by the Program.
“If the law is changed, we will be prepared to provide clear guidance to campaigns seeking advice on how to comply with the law going forward.”
For more information, please contact CFB Press Secretary Eric Friedman at (212)306-7116, or Press Aide Courtney Law at (212)306-7604.