The Texas Governor’s Terms

In my own assessed opinion, I favor the two four-year term limit for a governor. The reason behind the choice is that it is not wise for one individual to hold a public office of a high status such as a governor for a long period of time. Under the constitution, there are only three items needed for a candidate to qualify to run for office, that is: he or she has to be thirty years old, a citizen of US and live in Texas just before election. The requirement gives other people the opportunity to run for office. The leaders in office have the advantage of a known name, fundraising, and paybacks from people who they appointed while in office. The advantages give them a head start as compared to new candidates running for the same seat. In short, a term limit gives other people a chance to run for office (Election and Term of Office and Campaigns pg. 252- 254).

Running for governor’s office is an expensive affair. Texas gubernatorial candidates need to have accessibility to private wealth or a genuine way of raising funds. Nevertheless, a term limit of four years ensures that candidates do not have enough time to gather funds in illegal ways. Without a term limit, some candidates would have enough time to collect funds even if it is in an illegal manner. For further illustration, a republican Bailey used $14 million to run for governorship even though she lost to Rick Perry. In other words, term limit safeguards ways through which an individual can gather funds or meet other requirement to run for office (Election and Term of Office and Campaigns pg. 252- 254).

A two year  term limit does not only give other people  the opportunity  to run office but it makes the voters re-evaluate their choice  by looking critically into  what  new candidates have to offer in the long run. New candidates have to come up with manifestos and the public have to assess for themselves the one they want as a governor. Looking into the profile of a candidate shakes up things and reveals the weakness of the previous governor. Moreover, the public has to discuss their issues by looking at the perspectives of another candidate. Hence, two four-year term limit reveal the progress of the previous governor while at the same time gauging future governor candidates on they have to offer in terms of public service. Most importantly, the voter gets the chance to review a variety of campaign concerns that affect them (Election and Term of Office and Campaigns pg. 252- 254).

When a candidate runs for governor’s office and wins, he or she has a lot of power. Although he shares it with other elected executives, the governors still has a lion share when compared with the rest of the officials he or she shares power with in the office. The fact that a governor retains a substantial amount of unique authority leaves room for abuse if he or she retains the position for a long period. It is important to realize that a governor has the authority to appoint persons to various executive positions in the state government. To demonstrate further, a governor in Texas fills 200 boards with appointments. Most likely, the appointments will lean on friendship and other factors. Without a term limit, the appointment may create a dictatorship due to the consolidation of power over a long period. Hence, a two four-year term limit inhibits merging of power over time that comes because of loyalty and patronage (Election and Term of Office and Campaigns pg. 252- 254).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Election and Term of Office and Campaigns pg. 252- 254