Support growing for constitutional amendment to end one-term limit
GRASSADELLIA CITY -- In 2012, Damoign's governor's race was the most expensive and one of the most closely watched races of the season. The 2016 is already shaping up to be similar.
Damoign is the only state in the country where governors are barred from running for re-election consecutively. The rule came about in the 1990's as a way to combat widespread corruption in the state's government.
That means a new governor is elected every four years. A governor can run for re-election but must sit out a term before doing so.
Current (and outgoing) Gov. Rod Penora (N) has spearheaded a citizens initiative to amend the state's constitution to allow governors to seek re-election to a second consecutive term. Penora has openly said he would seek a second term if Damoign's constitution permitted.
His argument is that four years is not enough time for a governor to adequately enact an agenda. Having an additional four years to implement policy would be beneficial to the governor and the state, he says.
"The polls show the voters like my policies and want more of the same," said the customarily confident and brash Penora, in a recent interview with the Grassadellia City Times. "But because of this outdated rule in the constituion, I can't run for re-election, even though the voters want me for four more years and I want four more years too so I can continue the progress we've started."
The rule is not necessary anymore because there is more transparency in state government, argues Penora.
"Back at that time, in the 70's and the 80's, it was needed. We did have a lot of corruption and we had several administrations that did kick backs and cut back room deals and cheated. It was necessary back then. But now we have more safeguards in place. We have more transparency than ever before, we have a stronger attorney general position, we have oversight from the federal government and a citizens transparency committee. This rule is not needed any longer, it only limits the executive's ability to bring about change and progress," said Penora.
His views are shared by many conservatives, including his predecessor, former Gov. Sid Hoffa.
"I think the times have changed, and, while there is still corruption in our modern age, we don't have the systemic problems we used to have back in the 1970's and 1980's. We've come a long way and I think allowing a governor to seek re-election is fair. We should trust the voters to make the right determination. If someone is corrupt, they will be found out, they will be investigated, they will be charged accordingly, and the voters will see that corruption and vote them out," Hoffa told the Times.
Not everyone is on board with the proposed change to the law, however.
The Center for Responsible Government (CRG), a Damoign-based government watchdog organization, says there is good reason for the current rules.
"These rules were put in place because of abuse of power, corruption, and cronyism. It hasn't been that long since this kind of corruption was widespread in this state. It's a good firewall against government mismanagement," says Chris Kay, Vice President of the CRG.
Long-shot political candidates also oppose changing the rules, which they contend will only favor the political parties and party bosses.
"Damoign is notoriously the most corrupt state in the country, we are a state where the political parties have historically and still do to this day have an extraordinary amount of power and influence, much more so than in other states. We desperately need more transparency and fresh blood. We don't need Rod Penora and Sid Hoffa for eight years, we need someone new and fresh. If you can't run for re-election, then there is no incentive, or less incentive, for corruption," says wealthy businessman Rick Tesario, a Conservative from West Lake, who says he would only serve one term if elected.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to the voters. Penora and other advocates of the constitutional amendment have gathered more than 1.7 million signatures, and the issue is likely to appear before the voters on the 2016 ballot.
If the single four-year term limit is overturned in the 2016 election, the incumbent governor will be able to seek a second consecutive term beginning in 2020.
If the single four-year term limit is overturned in the 2016 election, the incumbent governor will be able to seek a second consecutive term beginning in 2020.
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