For immediate release
January 16, 2018
Contact: Scott Tillman, U.S. Term Limits
Phone: (321) 345-7455
Strong Support for Congressional Term Limits in Arizona District 8 U.S. House Race
Mesa, AZ – U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the leader in the national movement to limit terms for elected officials, today praised both Arizona U.S. House District 8 candidates, Bob Stump and Clair Van Steenwyk for signing its congressional term limits pledge.
Arizona’s eighth congressional district has been without representation since December 2017. The seat was vacated by Trent Franks who held office since 2003. Franks resigned after the House Ethics Committee announced it would investigate him after allegations surfaced that he asked women staffers about surrogacy. The resignation followed a wave of sexual harassment and misconduct claims that rocked Congress forcing several federal legislators out of office.
“These scandals demonstrate the hubris that develops when members of Congress stay in office too long. At the core of sexual harassment and misconduct is unchecked power permitting the abuse,” claims Nick Tomboulides, Executive Director of USTL. “Our pledge signers recognize the need to limit congressional terms and commit to supporting term limits legislation,” adds Tomboulides.
The U.S. Term Limits Amendment Pledge is provided to every announced candidate for federal office. It reads, “I pledge, that as a member of Congress, I will co-sponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) House terms and two (2) Senate terms and no longer limit.” The U.S. Term Limits Constitutional Amendment has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and the House of Representatives by Representative Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
In November 2017, U.S. Term Limits had more than 50 pledge signers in Congress. USTL President Philip Blumel commented on the pledges saying, “This support of term limits shows that there are individuals who are willing to put self-interest aside to follow the will of the people. America needs a Congress that will be served by citizen legislators, not career politicians.”
Blumel noted, “More than 75% of Americans have rejected the career politician model and want to replace it with citizen leadership. The way to achieve that goal is through congressional term limits. Stump and Van Steenwyk know this and are willing to work to make sure we reach our goal.”
According to the last nationwide poll on term limits conducted by Gallup, the issue enjoys wide bipartisan support. The poll shows that 75% of Americans support congressional term limits. Gallup’s analysis states, “Republicans and independents are slightly more likely than Democrats to favor term limits; nevertheless, the vast majority of all party groups agree on the issue. Further, Gallup finds no generational differences in support for the proposal.”
Blumel concluded, “America is in trouble. Our career politicians have let the people down. It is time to limit their terms and return control of our nation to the people. It is time for a constitutional amendment limiting congressional Terms.”
The term limits amendment bills would require a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate, and ratification by 38 states in order to become part of the U.S. Constitution.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey scheduled the special primary election for Arizona CD-8 for Tuesday, February 27, 2018. The special general election is set for Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
View Stump’s signed pledge here.
View Van Steenwyk’s signed pledge here.
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