Section 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.