§ 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.