Ethics

The IVMV Candidate Ethical Pledge

As a candidate for public office, I recognize that public service is a public trust. My first obligation is to the citizens I seek to represent, the Constitution I pledge to uphold, and the ethical standards expected of those entrusted with governmental authority.

Accordingly, I voluntarily make the following commitments:

Integrity in Elections

1. I will not participate in, encourage, or knowingly benefit from any fraudulent or unethical conduct related to an election. I will neither offer nor accept favors, gifts, compensation, or any other direct or indirect inducement intended to influence votes or public office.

Freedom from Conflicts of Interest

2. I will not seek personal financial benefit through government contracts while serving in public office. I will disclose and, where appropriate, divest myself and my immediate family of financial interests that present actual or apparent conflicts involving government contracts.

Truthfulness and Transparency

3. I will conduct an honest and honorable campaign based primarily upon issues, policies, qualifications, and solutions rather than personal attacks or misinformation. If elected, I will strive to answer questions from the public and the press truthfully, accurately, and in good faith.

Personal Conduct

4. I will conduct my public and private life in a manner that reflects integrity, responsibility, and respect for the office I hold. I will avoid conduct that brings discredit upon public service, my office, my family, or those whose lives may be unfairly affected by my actions.

Respect for Opponents

5. I will compete vigorously on ideas while treating my opponents and their families with dignity and respect. I will not knowingly engage in false, defamatory, or unnecessarily personal attacks against any candidate or private citizen.

Accountability for Public Communications

6. I will reject the deliberate use of false or misleading statements by my campaign, political organization, or supporters acting on my behalf. I will accept responsibility for official communications issued in my name and will promptly correct material inaccuracies whenever they become known.

Ethical Accountability

7. I will cooperate fully with the ethics processes governing the office I seek or hold. If an authorized ethics body determines that I have committed serious ethical violations warranting resignation under applicable law or governing standards, I will honor that determination.

Respect for the Democratic Process

8. I will respect the lawful outcome of my party’s or organization’s nomination process. If I choose to oppose the duly nominated candidate after participating in that process, I will first withdraw my affiliation with that party or organization so that my actions remain consistent with my stated principles.

Responsible Campaign Financing

9. I will voluntarily limit excessive financial dependence upon any single donor or funding source in order to reduce both actual and perceived undue influence over my public service.

Respect for Union Members and Contributors

10. I will not knowingly accept financial support from any labor organization whose political contributions have not been authorized through a fair process that gives its members a meaningful opportunity to approve or reject such support.

Full Legal Disclosure

11. I will fully, accurately, and promptly disclose all financial, legal, and other information required by law for the office I seek, and I will cooperate fully with all lawful reporting and disclosure requirements.

Commitment to Public Service

12. I recognize that holding public office is a privilege, not an entitlement. My decisions will be guided by the public interest, constitutional principles, ethical conduct, and my responsibility to future generations rather than by personal gain, political advantage, or special interests.

I make this pledge voluntarily and publicly because I believe ethical leadership is essential to preserving public confidence in representative government.