by Stacey Selleck
Term limits is a nonpartisan election reform supported by 80% of Americans. Polling consistently shows support from 74% Democrats, 87% Republicans, and 80% Independents. While U.S. Term Limits is a staunchly non-partisan organization, sometimes the topic is touted as right of center. We want to celebrate here the many prominent Democrats who are vocal in their support of term limits, have signed the term limits pledge, and/or have cosponsored term limits resolutions… not only for the Supreme Court, but for Congress, mayors, and municipal positions as well.
Barack Obama: “We want to see new voices and new ideas emerge. I think that is why term limits are a really useful thing.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot: “Chicago is the largest city in the country without mayoral term limits,” she notes, which “has led to entrenched leaders, a lack of new ideas and creative thinking and city government that works for the few, not the many.”
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, Colorado: “I would not be in politics were it not for term limits. It makes sense at all levels of government.”
U.S. Rep Jared Golden, ME: Golden is a cosponsor of U.S. House Joint Resolution 12 calling for a maximum of 12-years in the U.S. Senate and 6-years in the U.S. House.
Andrew Yang, Candidate for NYC Mayor and former Presidential Candidate: “With term limits, members of Congress would get what they went to DC to accomplish done and then go home. It would make room for new leaders with new experiences and fresh ideas. It would make time in Congress about reaching a goal, not reaching retirement after a long career with a good salary at the expense of the public. And it would give legislators a period of time when they didn’t need to constantly fundraise, as their final term wouldn’t hold the option for reelection.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, SC: “I believe in term limits…that both parties need new leadership.”
U.S. Rep. Kwanza Hall, GA: cosponsor of HJR 20 in the 116th U.S. Congress.
State Rep. Geraldine Thompson, FL: “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.”
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, CA: “We also cannot let congressional seats become feudal estates. The turnover rate here in the People’s House is less than European monarchies. Congress desperately needs a 12-year term limit like there is in the California legislature.”
U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, TX: “The longer you are in office, the less connected you are to the people you represent, the less accountable, the less responsive. The people in this country understand that and get that and I think it helps to account for our historic low level of popularity.”
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, IL: “The two-term limit for Chicago Mayor would give people a better chance to run for office without facing incumbents with huge war chests.”
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, PA: “I believe we should change the charter and every elected official in Philadelphia — controller, district attorney, mayor, and City Council members — should be limited to two terms,” Rendell said. “We would have a more effective and efficient government if we did that.”
“Congressional service has become a career and many elected officials who leave office don’t even return to their home states, choosing instead to remain in Washington. That’s no way to run the greatest legislative body in the world.”
U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, AZ
Rep. Park Cannon, GA
