STATE OF WASHINGTON
ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OPINION NO. 89-9

Question
     May an incumbent judge establish a committee of responsible persons to
secure and manage the expenditure of funds for the judge's campaign and to
obtain public statements of support for the judge's candidacy as set forth
in CJC Canon 7(B)(2) if there is no competing candidate and no active
opposition?

Answer
     CJC Canon 7(B)(2) permits candidates, including an incumbent judge, to
establish campaign committees to obtain statements of public support and to
solicit campaign funds for 120 days before the date of filing for that
office even though there has been no declaration by another candidate of
the intention to seek the judge's position.