I’m Geraldine Thompson, a Florida State Senator running for the United States Congress from Florida’s 10th Congressional District.
I have long been a proponent of fairness in our elections. Whether it is fighting for ballot access, fair districts, campaign finance reform, or term limits for elected officials, I am a fighter for fundamental reforms to make our elections fair.
This past legislative session in Florida, I was the deciding vote in favor of Senate Bill 0630 that called on Congress to call an Article V Convention to propose a Constitutional Amendment establishing term limits on members of Congress. I am proud of my support for term limits, and I am hopeful Congress heeds our call for an Article V Convention.
I support term limits for elected officials because I believe that too often politicians become entrenched, more concerned about their reelection than the business of the people. Our members of Congress spend too much time fundraising and not enough time governing because their number one concern is their reelection. Term limits ensure that rather than focusing on the next election, our members of Congress will be focused on what they can accomplish in their limited time in office.
Term limits will also work to reduce the influence seniority has in Washington. Opening up dozens of committee chairs and appointments will help get the best ideas and hardest workers to the top and break the stranglehold a few committee chairs have over the legislative process.
The reason we haven’t seen federal term limits, despite the huge number of states where the legislatures are term limited, is that the very people who benefit most from a lack of term limits have no incentive to pass them. This means that the typical amendment process stands little chance of happening with our current Congress. The founders gave us another option, and it is this, an Article V Convention, that I supported in Florida. If two thirds of the states call for an Article V Convention, we can take the amendment directly to the states without Congressional approval.
Passing legislation is never easy, but this is a bi-partisan, common-sense reform that should be supported nationwide. I would encourage those looking to pass term limits to get in touch with their State Legislators and tell them that you support an Article V Convention focused on term limits. There are great resources available to help them with the legislation, and with a public showing of support, we can get the necessary two thirds of states to start the Article V Convention.
While term limits are just one portion of larger reforms to our democracy that are needed to move America forward, they are a critical element to ending the gridlock in Washington and getting us back on track. I encourage everyone to do what it takes to pass this amendment.
Geraldine Thompson
Democratic Candidate for U.S. Congress
10thCongressional District