Opinion 93
(This Opinion discusses a prior version of the Canons of Judicial Conduct; the most comparable current rule is 2-4.2 Campaign Conduct of Judges and Judicial Candidates, Subdivision (B).)
Issue:
After an election may the committee formed to secure and manage funds for the campaign continue to make direct solicitations and hold fund-raising events to repay debts incurred during the campaign?
Discussion:
Supreme Court Rule 2, Canon 7(B) (2) states:
The Code of Judicial Conduct allows the judge to establish a committee to secure and manage campaign funds. The Code does not contain any restriction which would require the fund-raising activities of the committee to end after the election. Accordingly, it is the Opinion of the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline that the judge’s election committee may continue to make direction solicitations for campaign funds and hold fund-raising events after the election until the campaign debt is repaid.
(Date: February 22, l983)
COMMISSION ON RETIREMENT, REMOVAL AND DISCIPLINE
OPINION 93
Issue:
After an election may the committee formed to secure and manage funds for the campaign continue to make direct solicitations and hold fund-raising events to repay debts incurred during the campaign?
Discussion:
Supreme Court Rule 2, Canon 7(B) (2) states:
A candidate, including an incumbent judge, for a judicial office that is filled by public election between competing candidates should not himself solicit or accept campaign funds, or solicit publicly stated support, but he may establish committees of responsible persons to secure and manage the expenditure of funds for his campaign and to obtain public statements of support for his candidacy. Such committees are not prohibited from soliciting campaign contributions and public support from lawyers. A candidate should not use or permit the use of campaign contributions for the private benefit of himself or members of his family.
The Code of Judicial Conduct allows the judge to establish a committee to secure and manage campaign funds. The Code does not contain any restriction which would require the fund-raising activities of the committee to end after the election. Accordingly, it is the Opinion of the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline that the judge’s election committee may continue to make direction solicitations for campaign funds and hold fund-raising events after the election until the campaign debt is repaid.
(Date: February 22, l983)