Section 3-C - Restrictions upon nomination or election to compensated federal, state or local office1. 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.