17- year Mail Handler in Carol Stream, Illinois ignored warning to drop out of campaign for Congress
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) recently resolved two Hatch Act complaints resulting in significant disciplinary action against federal employees for violating the Act. In both cases, the federal agencies involved referred the matters to OSC and cooperated with the investigations.
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from running as candidates in partisan elections, and from soliciting contributions and promoting candidates for political office while on duty and in the federal workplace (for more info on the Hatch Act, click here). OSC is authorized to investigate allegations of Hatch Act violations. When OSC finds that a violation has occurred, it may attempt to resolve the matter informally with the federal employee and the agency. If that effort fails, OSC may file a formal Hatch Act complaint before the Merit Systems Protection Board (Board).
Board Orders Postal Service Employee Removed for Violating the Hatch Act
In May 2014, the Board granted OSC’s request to remove a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee from federal service for violating the Hatch Act. Specifically, OSC’s complaint alleged that the employee twice ran in partisan elections for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition, he solicited political contributions for his campaigns. OSC and USPS repeatedly warned the worker that his actions violated the Hatch Act and requested that he comply with the law either by withdrawing from the elections or ending his federal employment. Despite these repeated warnings, the employee refused to comply with the law.
This was the first Board decision under the Hatch Act Modernization Act, which took effect in early 2013. The Board’s decision can be found online here.
Lewis ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Illinois 2nd District. Lewis ran as an Independent and was defeated by incumbent Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D) in the November 6 general election Lewis ran as an Independent candidate in the 2013 special election for the U.S. House, representing Illinois’ 2nd District. Lewis was defeated in the general election. Lewis ran as Independent candidate in the 2014 election for the U.S. House to represent Illinois’ 2nd District. He was removed as a Democratic candidate from the ballot in 2014. He plans are running in the general election as a write-in candidate.
Lewis argued that the Hatch Act refers only to candidates of a political party, not independents.
Although I haven’t read the Hatch Act in its entirety, I would think that ANY U.S. citizen should be able to run for political office, whether it be local, county, state or federal. If in fact federal employees are unable to run, then I agree with the other post above in regard to; “And if you stop and think about it are Congressmen and Senators ,not Federal employees?” Why the double Standard?”
I also believe that this issue should be taken to the supreme court. There are certain criteria that a person must meet in order to run for U.S. Congress or President. The Hatch Act does appear to be a violation.
This is a violation of his freedom of speech. this law needs taking to the Supreme court. One current US Senator is going to run for President and Senate at the same time .That being Rand Paul and postal workers cant even run for county magistrate if its partisan.
I didn’t know The Congress worked for anything but selfish interest.
UH OH!!!!!!!!
The law says that you need not declare Republican or Democrat but that’s what the Law says.And if you stop and think about it are Congressmen and Senators ,not Federal employees?why the double. Standard?