Judicial Ethics Committee Issues Expedited Opinion on Campaign Contributions and Endorsements Among Court Commissioners

A California judicial ethics committee on Thursday issued an expedited opinion addressing whether a state court commissioner running for judge may solicit campaign contributions or endorsements from fellow commissioners.

The guidance was issued by the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO)—a body which is appointed and authorized by, but works independently of, the California Supreme Court.

In CJEO Expedited Opinion 2026-053, the committee advises that canon 5B(4) of the California Code of Judicial Ethics prohibits judges from soliciting campaign contributions or endorsements from subordinate judicial officers and court personnel due to the risk of coercion arising from a hierarchical relationship. However, the committee explains that these concerns do not apply when a state court commissioner seeks contributions from fellow commissioners, since they have no supervisory or disciplinary authority over one another.

 “Because there is no disparate power dynamic between fellow commissioners, the concerns regarding actual or perceived coercion do not arise,” said committee vice-chair Justice Douglas P. Miller. “Accordingly, a state court commissioner running for judicial office may solicit campaign contributions and endorsements from other commissioners, provided that the candidate otherwise complies with all applicable canons governing judicial campaign conduct.”

CJEO issues expedited opinions to judicial officers who request them, following a discretionary decision by CJEO to address the ethical issues raised in an expedited process that does not include posting draft opinions for public comment (as is required for CJEO formal opinions). Expedited opinions are published in full, without identifying information regarding the requesting judicial officer, to provide guidance to the bench and the public regarding judicial ethics.

About the Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO)
The Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions is a 12-member advisory committee that includes appellate justices, trial court judges, two retired judges, and a commissioner. The committee is appointed and authorized by the California Supreme Court, but its work is independent of the court, the Judicial Council, and all other entities. Its opinions are advisory and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Supreme Court or any other entity. 

The committee issues formal, informal, and expedited advisory opinions on proper judicial conduct pursuant to the California Code of Judicial Ethics and other authorities. CJEO’s website includes advisory opinions, resources dedicated to specific judicial assignments and issues, and extensive judicial ethics tools and resource materials for the benefit of the bench and the public.