State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

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.

Opinion 89-09

05/22/1989