Rule 4.3 Activities of Candidates for Appointive Judicial Office

If you want to become a judge through appointment rather than election, you're allowed to actively pursue the position. You can talk directly with whoever has the power to appoint or confirm you. This includes any committee, commission, or panel set up to screen or nominate candidates for the job.

You can also ask people or groups to publicly support your bid for the position. This means reaching out to organizations, community leaders, or anyone else whose endorsement might help your chances of getting appointed.

This rule recognizes that getting appointed to a judgeship is different from winning an election. Since there's no public campaign or voting process, candidates need to be able to communicate directly with the people and groups making the decision, and to build support through endorsements.