§ 3-c. Restrictions upon nomination or election to compensated
federal, state or local office. 1. For purposes of this section,
"candidate" has the meaning set forth in section 14-100 of the election
law.

2. No commissioner, executive director or other head of any state
agency, as that term is defined in paragraph (g) of subdivision one of
section seventy-three of this chapter, shall seek nomination or election
to any compensated federal, state or local public office, or shall
become a candidate for such office, unless such individual first resigns
from his or her public employment, or requests and is granted by their
appointing authority a leave of absence without pay. Such resignation or
leave must commence before such individual engages in any campaign
activities, including but not limited to, announcing a candidacy,
circulating petitions, soliciting contributions, distributing
literature, or taking any other action to actively promote oneself as a
candidate for elective office.