Panel bars judge from hosting campaign event for fellow judge

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Aug. 2, 2010 | 2:49 p.m.

CARSON CITY – A judge can't host a meeting in his home for a fellow judge who is up for election, a committee on judicial ethics says.

A judge asked the Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices whether he could sponsor a “meet and greet” event in his home for a fellow judge who is seeking re-election.

The advisory opinion, written by committee Vice Chairman Michael Pagni, says the judicial rules hold that a judge shall not publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for public office.

These “meet and greet” sessions often involve seeking campaign money or pledges to place campaign signs in the yards of those attending.

“The committee concludes that hosting a meet and greet event for a candidate would appear to reasonable minds as an explicit endorsement (if not an implicit endorsement) of the candidate on whose behalf the event is held,” contrary to the rules, the opinion said.

The committee said there is nothing in the opinion that would prohibit a judge’s ability to contribute personal funds to a candidate or political organization.

The committee didn't identify the judges involved.

There is an ongoing debate on the constitutionality of judges making endorsements, the committee said, but it added it will leave that issue for the courts to decide.