Activities of Applicants for Appointive Judicial Office

An applicant for appointment to judicial office may: (A) communicate with the appointing authority, including any selection, screening, or nominating commission or similar agency; and (B) seek endorsements for the appointment from any person or organization other than a partisan political organization. [1] When seeking support or endorsement, or when communicating directly with an appointing authority, an applicant for appointive judicial office must not make any pledges, promises, or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of the office. See Rule 4.1(A)(13). [2] An applicant for appointment to judicial office must not solicit or accept funds, personally or through a committee or otherwise, to support his or her application. And such applicants may not establish campaign committees under Rule 4.4. A nonjudge applicant for appointment to judicial office may also retain an office in a political organization.