U.S. Term Limits issued the following announcement on Oct. 24.

At a public signing yesterday, Surprise city council candidate, James Ellis (district 3), signed the Term Limits Municipal Pledge supporting term limits on all elected city council members. U.S. Term Limits praises Ellis for his commitment to this important issue.

“I want to express how important term limits are for local officials all the way up to the federal government. I believe passionately in this and I think more people should take notice and support this effort,” said Ellis.

He continued, “The current system does not work because the longer a person stays in office, the more power they obtain. Term limits will prevent elected officials from office holding into a career and allow for more open elections and a greater pool of candidates that the voters can choose from.”

According to Jim Olivi, Arizona State Director for U.S. Term Limits, “Arizona has become a better state because of term limits. More seats become available putting more choices on the ballot. This gives citizen legislators the opportunity to serve a few years, get the job done, then go back home and live under the laws they create.” He added, “It keeps politicians honest and accountable to the community. I applaud Mr. Ellis for recognizing term limits work at all levels of government.”

The municipal term limits pledge reads, “I pledge, that as a member of the city council, I will sponsor and vote in favor of city council term limits no longer than 8 years.”

As President Harry Truman once said ‘Term limits cure senility and seniority – both terrible legislative diseases.’ This renders term limits as not only a cure, but a safeguard.”

If elected, Ellis will be the first Surprise City Council member to have signed the pledge to term limit the council to eight years.

Original source can be found here.