Commenting privately to your spouse as to whom would be the best candidate for mayor is proper or improper conduct?

• A. Not specified
• B. Depends on circumstances
• C. Proper
• D. Improper

Answer: (C)

The main concept is that private political discussion by a public official with a family member is not automatically improper. Personal opinions shared in a private, non-work setting do not use official authority or resources, nor do they attempt to influence others in your official role. In this scenario, talking privately with your spouse about who would be the best candidate for mayor is simply a private exchange of personal views. It remains proper as long as it stays private and you’re not using your office, official time, or government resources to campaign or to sway others. It would only become improper if you tried to influence staff or the public in your official capacity or used official channels for campaigning.