ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
STATE OF WASHINGTON
OPINION NO. 86-17



QUESTION

     May a candidate for judicial office personally seek and obtain written
endorsements for use in the judicial campaign?

ANSWER

     CJC Canon 7(B)(2) states in part that a candidate may not himself or
herself obtain public statements of support for the candidacy “but he may
establish committees of responsible persons to secure and manage the
expenditure of funds for his campaign and to obtain public statements of
support for his candidacy.  Such committees are not prohibited from
soliciting campaign contributions and public support from lawyers or
others.”

     Even though a candidate for judicial office may not personally solicit
endorsements CJC Canon 7(B)(2) permits the organization of a campaign
committee to obtain endorsements of support and the establishment of a
campaign committee does not amount to seeking personal endorsements of
support by the candidate.  CJC Canon 7(B)(2) does not prohibit a candidate
for judicial office from appearing before public interest groups or civic
organizations; however, solicitations to appear before such groups and
organizations are most appropriately handled by the candidate’s campaign
committee.