Senate role

What does a Senator actually do?

A Senator is not a county executive, and the campaign should be honest about that. The Senate’s job is to protect county interests through law-making, oversight, and revenue decisions.

Representation

The Senate represents counties and protects the interests of counties and their governments.

Legislation

The Senate participates in law-making on matters concerning counties and devolution.

Revenue

The Senate determines the allocation of national revenue among counties.

Oversight

The Senate oversees county revenue and asks whether public resources are being used responsibly.

Role comparison

Why the distinction matters

A campaign becomes more credible when it explains the office honestly instead of making promises that belong to other institutions of government. Public trust grows when voters can distinguish between what a Senator can do, what a county executive does and what should be pursued through oversight or legislation.

What a Senator can do

Represent county interests
Participate in county-related legislation
Debate revenue allocation
Exercise oversight
Demand accountability

What a Senator should not claim

Personally run county departments
Promise executive functions outside the office
Blur constitutional boundaries for applause
Replace county institutions with campaign rhetoric

Constitutional discipline

Honesty about the role is part of accountability

A Senator’s power lies in representation, legislation, revenue and oversight. Treating those responsibilities with seriousness, and being honest about what lies beyond them, is how trust is earned.

See the agenda