Can an architect contribute to a local political campaign with the hope of winning a contract later?

• A. No, never allowed.
• B. Yes, campaign contributions are allowed but cannot attempt to influence officials; campaign contributions are allowed.
• C. Yes, only if the candidate is an architect.
• D. Yes, only if done anonymously.

Answer: (B)

Participating in politics through campaign contributions is allowed for architects, as long as you don’t try to use those contributions to influence officials or to secure a contract in exchange for future work. In other words, contributing is acceptable, but there must be no attempt to trade influence for a favorable decision. The idea is to separate civic engagement from business development and avoid any impression of quid pro quo. The other options imply blanket bans, or conditions that aren’t accurate (contributing only if the candidate is an architect, or only anonymously), which don’t align with how political contributions are treated in professional ethics.