Kind of an odd question, but as a political junkie, I’m dying to know. Is it illegal in the United States to pay someone to not run for public office? What’s the relevant Federal law on this?
For example, say A mentions that she is seeking Senator Chuck Grassley’s seat, and another potential contender, B gets wind of it. B doesn’t want to run against A, so he offers A an egregiously compensated position with his business, hoping that A is so satisfied with her new job and salary that she no longer wants to be a senator, at least until she can stuff away some $$$.
Would this scenario be illegal under current US law?
It is in Canada; there was a case in one province where party C offered someone in a splinter party money to run. The thought was they would split the vote with his opponent, party N. offering a candidate a gratuity is a crime.
I suppose it depends how the laws are written. Is it illegal? Only if the person has declared? Filed papers?
You know Mr. potential candidate, I’m looking to fill his high-paying job at my firm, but I need someone who will be able to work full-time for at least two years. Do you know anyone who might be interested?
Yeah, I don’t know if it’s explicitly illegal, but it’s done this way a lot. I know of one case where a lawyer was told she’d be off the list for judgeships if she ran for office. So she didn’t. That was basically intimidation instead of bribery, probably more illegal, but I think it happens frequently.
I believe part of the Civil Rights law in Title 18 would apply:
(b) Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, by force or threat of force willfully injures, intimidates or interferes with, or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with—
(A) voting or qualifying to vote, qualifying or campaigning as a candidate for elective office, or qualifying or acting as a poll watcher, or any legally authorized election official, in any primary, special, or general election;
Hmmm. I don’t think that law applies generally to coercion, only to that which involves force, or could potentially result in the use of force. Offering someone a job to distract them from campaigning doesn’t fit the bill.