Martin Sandoval is a Democratic state senator from Cicero, IL.
He's also running for a seat to serve on a Mexican government advisory council created by President Vicente Fox.
From the Chicago Tribune, free registration required, an excerpt:
If state Sen. Martin Sandoval succeeds in his next election Saturday, he will serve in Mexico City as well as Springfield.
Sandoval is running for a seat on an advisory council created by Mexico President Vicente Fox in 2002 to incorporate Mexicans living in the United States into his government's policymaking.
Sandoval would be the first elected official in the U.S. to serve on the advisory council. That raises the peculiar prospect of the Cicero Democrat offering policy advice in an official capacity to Mexican Cabinet members while creating laws in Illinois.
The possibility has some observers praising his vision while others blast his judgment, calling the potential moonlighting arrangement a conflict of interest.
As it turns out, no law or rule prohibits it, in Mexico or in Illinois. Mexican officials call it an honorary position.
Sandoval, who was born in the United States to Mexican immigrants, said he realizes that some might raise eyebrows at the thought of a man who swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution influencing policy in Mexico City.
Senator Sandoval: You're either an American, or not.
UPDATE 10: 50 PM CDT: Found this on a Free Republic thread about this case.
United States Constitution, Article I, Section IX
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.
Does that apply to officials at all levels of government, or just the federal branch?
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