A blog dealing with Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Term Limits: Stifling Competition?

Oh, and here is another negative unintended consequence of two term limits: potential competitor back-off

Let's get inside the mind of someone considering a challenge to Commissioner X, who is just completing a first term. 

Should I run against X now, knowing X hasn't accrued many negatives and is the incumbent?  . . . .Nah, I'll just wait four years when there will be an open seat. 

Thus, instead of fostering challenges, two term limits may inadvertently give people a pass on their second term, functionally creating what amounts to an eight year term -- not a great outcome if candidate X is only a mediocre commissioner.