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Do Term Limits Make a Difference?

Ambition and Motivations among U.S. State Legislators

Oklahoma State University

Sue Thomas

Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation

Arguments for term limits often focus on the need for politicianswhoare less motivated by career goals and more motivated by public policy goals. Yet little is known about whether term limits result in officeholders who are different from others. In this article, the authors examine whether the political motivations and ambitions of term-limited legislators differ from those of nontermlimited legislators. A survey of legislators in 15 states serves as the basis for analysis. The findings indicate that, as predicted by advocates, term-limited legislators are more likely to be motivated by issues. However, they are also more likely to possess progressive ambition, thereby countering arguments that limits attract fewer careerists. Policy goals and progressive ambition are not necessarily inconsistent. Legislators whose policy agendas have not been completed by the time their terms end maywant to pursue other offices to achieve their goals. The implications of these findings are explored in this article.

Key Words: term limits • state legislators • political ambition • political motivation • legislatures • careerism

American Politics Research, Vol. 33, No. 5, 726-747 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1532673X04270935


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