--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As representatives, we are accountable…" description: "\"As representatives, we are accountable first not to our party, not to our leadership, not to the chief executive, but just to our constituents.\" — Sara..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/763/sara-gideon-7337_accountable_as-representatives-we-are-accountable-fi_3073929.jpg" --- # As representatives, we are accountable first not to our… ![“As representatives, we are accountable first not to our party, not to our leadership, not to the chief executive, but just to our constituents.” quote by Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/763/sara-gideon-7337_accountable_as-representatives-we-are-accountable-fi_3073929.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/763/sara-gideon-7337_accountable_as-representatives-we-are-accountable-fi_3073929.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/763/sara-gideon-7337_accountable_as-representatives-we-are-accountable-fi_3073929.jpg) > “As representatives, we are accountable first not to our party, not to our leadership, not to the chief executive, but just to our constituents.” [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Elected officials owe their primary loyalty to the people they represent, above party or leadership. **In simple terms:** Representatives serve constituents first. Key Takeaway Put voters' interests ahead of party lines. Themes democracy accountability representation Mood thoughtful determined Type political ethical When to use this quote - campaign strategy - legislative voting - town hall meetings - policy advocacy Key Concepts public trust constituent focus ethical duty Questions to Reflect On - How do you resolve conflicts between party agenda and voter wishes? - What mechanisms ensure accountability to constituents? A Different Perspective Party pressure can conflict with constituent needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chief executive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chief-executive/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Representatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representatives/) ## Related quotes > [What this nation most wants, most yearns for, most needs is someone where people know, all Americans know, that even when they disagree well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sestak/what-this-nation-most-wants-most-yearns-for-most-needs-is-someone/) [Joe Sestak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sestak/) > [You hire a chief executive, pay him, and hold him accountable after a year or two. The time for so-called honorary jobs is over.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jahangir-khan/you-hire-a-chief-executive-pay-him-and-hold-him-accountable-after-a/) [Jahangir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jahangir-khan/) > [The chief executive who knows his strengths and weaknesses as a leader is likely to be far more effective than the one who remains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adair/the-chief-executive-who-knows-his-strengths-and-weaknesses-as-a/) [John Adair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adair/) > [When a company seeks a new chief executive officer, or a university a new vice-chancellor, enormous trouble is taken to find the best person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/when-a-company-seeks-a-new-chief-executive-officer-or-a-university-a/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Whatever the political affiliation of our next President, whatever his views may be on all the issues and problems that rush in upon us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/whatever-the-political-affiliation-of-our-next-president-whatever-his/) [John F. 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Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-a-watson/) > [The governor is Virginia's chief executive and represents the commonwealth at all times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mcdonnell/the-governor-is-virginia-s-chief-executive-and-represents-the/) [Bob McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mcdonnell/) > [At the heart of any good business is a chief executive officer with one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/at-the-heart-of-any-good-business-is-a-chief-executive-officer-with/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Ethics must begin at the top of an organization. It is a leadership issue and the chief executive must set the example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-f-hennessey/ethics-must-begin-at-the-top-of-an-organization-it-is-a-leadership/) Edward F. Hennessey > [The principles that make someone a master in the chief executive role deal with whether or not they can thrive in an environment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-menkes/the-principles-that-make-someone-a-master-in-the-chief-executive-role/) [Justin Menkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-menkes/) > [Eventually, I'd like to have some sort of role like a chief executive in a football club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green/eventually-i-d-like-to-have-some-sort-of-role-like-a-chief-executive/) [Robert Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green/) ## More by Sara Gideon > [If we're going to come together and make real progress to improve the lives of people here in Maine and across the country, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/if-we-re-going-to-come-together-and-make-real-progress-to-improve-the/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [I would say that of many, many difficult aspects of my job as speaker, presiding over a debate on a bill that has an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/i-would-say-that-of-many-many-difficult-aspects-of-my-job-as-speaker/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [The health and safety of our neighbors and our communities should be our top priority - nothing is more important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/the-health-and-safety-of-our-neighbors-and-our-communities-should-be/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We must provide our kids with the skills they need to stay and succeed here in Maine - that's something we all agree on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-must-provide-our-kids-with-the-skills-they-need-to-stay-and/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We need to first clearly establish what our modern rules for behavior are and make sure those are clearly understood and communicated. That empowers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-need-to-first-clearly-establish-what-our-modern-rules-for-behavior/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We're all in agreement that our children deserve a world-class education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-re-all-in-agreement-that-our-children-deserve-a-world-class/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [We have taken on the fossil fuel companies, combating climate change and even the energy utilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/we-have-taken-on-the-fossil-fuel-companies-combating-climate-change/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Throughout my life, I've always believed that the sole purpose of public service is to improve the lives of the people around us. From…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/throughout-my-life-i-ve-always-believed-that-the-sole-purpose-of/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [A lot of what is preventing us from getting things done on the federal level is that there is too much influence from special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/a-lot-of-what-is-preventing-us-from-getting-things-done-on-the/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Nobody in Maine should be deciding between whether they go to a doctor, whether they buy their medicine or whether they're putting food on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/nobody-in-maine-should-be-deciding-between-whether-they-go-to-a/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Creating paid family and medical leave will create a foundation for healthier families, healthier workplaces and the chance to have a growing and thriving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/creating-paid-family-and-medical-leave-will-create-a-foundation-for/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Effective public policy to address human trafficking cannot only address offender accountability and increase prosecution, but must also address root causes of the issue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/effective-public-policy-to-address-human-trafficking-cannot-only/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [Not a single Mainer should be rationing their medication or avoiding a trip to the doctor because they aren't sure what it will end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/not-a-single-mainer-should-be-rationing-their-medication-or-avoiding/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [I'm proud to work toward a greener, more vibrant economy with Mainers and stakeholders across our region through Northeast Clean Energy Council's efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/i-m-proud-to-work-toward-a-greener-more-vibrant-economy-with-mainers/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) > [A skilled, well-educated workforce will attract more companies and jobs to our state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/a-skilled-well-educated-workforce-will-attract-more-companies-and/) [Sara Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) [Explore all 92 Sara Gideon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/) ## More Accountable quotes > [If China someday gains a more fair, just, and accountable system of government, it will be due to the hard work and efforts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/if-china-someday-gains-a-more-fair-just-and-accountable-system-of/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [I don't have a boss or PR person, so I'm accountable to no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-don-t-have-a-boss-or-pr-person-so-i-m-accountable-to-no-one/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [Be aware and hold the government accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohit-chauhan/be-aware-and-hold-the-government-accountable/) [Mohit Chauhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohit-chauhan/) > [I'm against unanswerable concentrations of power, whether that be government or private industry or religious figures - anybody who is not accountable to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-suarez/i-m-against-unanswerable-concentrations-of-power-whether-that-be/) [Daniel Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-suarez/) > [I am formally accountable to the steering board of the PIC, and I meet with nine ambassadors from the PIC every week. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-formally-accountable-to-the-steering-board-of-the-pic-and-i-meet/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [When you're in a relationship, please believe that you are held accountable for every feeling felt, word spoken, and heart broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/when-you-re-in-a-relationship-please-believe-that-you-are-held/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [We will make government more accountable. We will cut fraud, waste and abuse in our budget. But we will not do it by leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/we-will-make-government-more-accountable-we-will-cut-fraud-waste-and/) [John E. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) > [It means a lot. It means I'm accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/champ-bailey/it-means-a-lot-it-means-i-m-accountable/) [Champ Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/champ-bailey/) > [If you can't hold yourself accountable and get your job done then you're not going to be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-amendola/if-you-can-t-hold-yourself-accountable-and-get-your-job-done-then-you/) [Danny Amendola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-amendola/) > [There are multi-scatterings of various and associated issues and concerns, but it all boils down to accountable people versus those unwilling to be accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/there-are-multi-scatterings-of-various-and-associated-issues-and/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [If you're going to give people authority and hold them responsible and ultimately accountable for their performance, you've got to get out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-lerner/if-you-re-going-to-give-people-authority-and-hold-them-responsible/) [Randy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-lerner/) > [We all have to hold each other accountable and point that behavior out to each other in a kind way. I guess what I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-ellis/we-all-have-to-hold-each-other-accountable-and-point-that-behavior/) [Mary Elizabeth Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-ellis/) > [“The mistakes you make now count. Not for everything, and not forever. But they do matter, and they shape you...make your choices well. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/the-mistakes-you-make-now-count-not-for-everything-and-not-forever/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [In the church we have to deliberately let ourselves be transparent and accountable to others. We're a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/in-the-church-we-have-to-deliberately-let-ourselves-be-transparent/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [I feel like I'm held more accountable to stay healthy now because now I'm a role model to young girls to not have eating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/i-feel-like-i-m-held-more-accountable-to-stay-healthy-now-because-now/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) Browse all 351 Accountable quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As representatives, we are accountable first not to our party, not to our leadership, not to the chief executive, but just to our constituents.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sara Gideon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/as-representatives-we-are-accountable-first-not-to-our-party-not-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accountable" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/as-representatives-we-are-accountable-first-not-to-our-party-not-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/763/sara-gideon-7337_accountable_as-representatives-we-are-accountable-fi_3073929.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/763/sara-gideon-7337_accountable_as-representatives-we-are-accountable-fi_3073929.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/763/sara-gideon-7337_accountable_as-representatives-we-are-accountable-fi_3073929.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As representatives, we are accountable first not to our party, not to our leadership, not to the chief…” — Sara Gideon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sara Gideon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gideon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As representatives, we are accountable first...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/as-representatives-we-are-accountable-first-not-to-our-party-not-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gideon/as-representatives-we-are-accountable-first-not-to-our-party-not-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```