Tenet 7 reminds members in service to a local government regardless of whether it is on a full-time, part-time, or an interim basis to “refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators.”  Members may not run for any elected office or accept appointment to any elected office while in service to a local government.

Members have been sanctioned for the following unethical conduct in running for office:

• A member was an elected official while he worked as a city manager.  The member had an affirmative responsibility to comply with the ICMA Code of Ethics and when notified that his dual responsibilities violated the Code, he failed to take timely action to remedy the situation.
• A member sought elected office for school board and was unsuccessful. The member later accepted an appointment for a vacant school board position while still serving as a city manager.
• While serving as city manager, a member established a committee to explore the possibility of running for elected office. The member raised funds, created a very visible online presence, and leveraged his office for the benefit of his campaign.
• A former city manager sought elected office while not in service to local government but, in the last months of the campaign the member applied for local government executive positions.
• While serving as village manager, a member unsuccessfully ran for elected county sheriff.
• A member unsuccessfully campaigned and received an endorsement for an elected position on her employing governing body.
• While serving as county manager, a member launched his candidacy for a seat in the state legislature by seeking and receiving endorsements, raising funds, and developing an online campaign presence.  The member ran unopposed.
• A member held both the appointed position of assistant city manager and elected city treasurer.

Applicable Tenet and Guideline

Tenet 7.  Refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators. Refrain from participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body. 

Guideline on Running for Office.  Members shall not run for elected office or become involved in political activities related to running for elected office, or accept appointment to an elected office. They shall not seek political endorsements, financial contributions or engage in other campaign activities.