STATE OF WASHINGTON
ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OPINION NO. 96-15



Question
     May a judicial candidate continue to list the name and the title of
the attorney general on campaign literature as an honorary co-chair?

     A judicial officer asked the attorney general who then agreed to serve
as one of two honorary co-chairs for the judge’s reelection campaign.  The
other co-chair is also an elected official.

     The co-chairs were asked because in the past persons such as
prosecuting attorneys and county executives have served in this capacity in
other judicial campaigns.  These persons were selected to diffuse any
appearance of political affiliation because they are from each of the major
political parties.

     The honorary co-chairs do not personally assist in solicitation of
endorsements or contributions.  They do not participate in any of the
meetings of the campaign committee or make recommendations or suggestions
about campaign scheduling or strategy.  Their sole function is to appear on
the campaign letterhead as honorary co-chairs.

Answer
     CJC Canon 7(B)(2) provides in part that judicial candidates may
establish committees of responsible persons to secure and manage campaign
funds and to obtain public statements of support.

     The Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 7(B)(2) does not place any
limitations on the persons who a judicial candidate may select to serve as
a honorary chair.  Therefore, a judicial officer may ask the attorney
general to serve as honorary co-chair of a reelection committee and to list
the name and the title of the attorney general on campaign letterhead.