State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a sitting judge publicly endorse, or contribute funds or time by campaigning for another sitting judge's campaign for reelection or for election to a higher judicial office?

May a sitting judge publicly endorse, or contribute funds or time by campaigning for a non-judge candidate for judicial office?

Answer

CJC Canon 7(A) permits a sitting judge to publicly endorse, contribute funds or time by campaigning for a candidate running for judicial office whether the candidate is an attorney candidate or an incumbent judge.

The Supreme Court adopted a new Code of Judicial Conduct effective January 1, 2011. In addition to reviewing the ethics advisory opinions, the following should be noted: CJC 4.1 Comment [4] CJC 3.1(A)

Opinion 88-13

9/16/1988