Rule 4.1 Political and Campaign Activities of Judges and Judicial Candidates
Canon 4: A judge should refrain from political activity inappropriate to the judge's judicial office
Rule Text
(A) A judge should not:
(1) act as a leader or hold any office in a political organization;
(2) make speeches for a political organization or candidate or publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for public office;
(3) directly or indirectly solicit funds for or pay an assessment or make a contribution to a political organization or candidate, attend political gatherings, or purchase tickets for political party dinners, or other functions.
(B) A judge should resign the judicial office when the judge becomes a candidate either in a party primary or in a general election for a nonjudicial office.
(C) A judge should not engage in any other political activity except on behalf of measures to improve the law, the legal system or the administration of justice.
Comment:
Political contributions by the judge's spouse or domestic partner must result from the independent choice of the spouse or domestic partner and checks by which such contributions are made shall not include the name of the judge.
A person becomes a candidate as soon as he or she makes a public announcement of candidacy, declares or files as a candidate with the election authority, or authorizes solicitation or acceptance of contributions or support.