Candidate for Lt. Gov. Wants Term Limit on Lt. Gov.

Georgia Senator Rick Jeffares, a Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, has issued a press release stating his support for a constitutional amendment to limit the Lt. Gov. position to two (2) four year terms. This would match the current term limit for a Georgia Governor.

Sen. Jeffares stated:

“I believe that term limits are good for politicians, their constituents, and Democracy itself. Citizens should serve, contribute their ideas and passion, then return to the private sector to live under the laws they pass. I am confident that any legislator not planning to run for the job will be more than happy to support such a move, and that’s only a couple of ‘no’ votes.”

I personally hope the amendment fails, for numerous reasons:

  1. We have many other important issues facing Georgians than this one and I don’t know why this is a focus for this race.  I haven’t met a single voter that was concerned about the term of the Lt. Gov. Rural healthcare and healthcare in general? Yes. Transportation issues? Yes. Term limits for Lt. Gov? Nope.
  2. If you term limit this position, then you need to term limit those in the Georgia Senate, Georgia House, and all statewide positions.
  3. Any of the current group of candidates could have challenged Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle but chose not to do so. Cagle ran unopposed in both the 2010 and 2014 GOP primaries. True term limits happen at the ballot box.
  4. “Citizens should serve, contribute their ideas and passion, then return to the private sector to live under the laws they pass.” If Sen. Jeffares finishes out his term, he will have served 8 years in the Senate. Another 4-8 years as Lt. Gov. would give him 12-16 years under the Gold Dome. I don’t follow the logic here.
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