Should a city council prohibit people with contracts with the city from running for office?

Question

My city council, four Rs 3 Ds, wants to prohibit any individual owning or working for a business that has any city contracts from running for office. City employees may have contracts and they may run for office. Under the current system, if a city council person has contracts then they recuse themselves if they are the issue at vote. I believe that business people should be elected because they have endured the bureaucratic red tape and understand where change needs to be made. I also believe they know how to budget and prioritize their monies or they would not stay in business.

Answer 1

No. All you should be required to do, if elected, is re ques yourself from any decisions concerning the contract.