Ky. R. Sup. Ct. 4.2

As amended through March 4, 2024

Rule 4.2 - Political and Campaign Activities of Judicial Candidates in Public Elections

(A)A judicial candidate* shall:

(1)act at all times in a manner consistent with the independence,* integrity,* and impartiality* of the judiciary;

(2)comply with all applicable election, election campaign, and election campaign fund-raising laws and regulations;

(3)review and approve the content of all campaign statements and materials produced by the candidate or his or her campaign committee, as authorized by Rule 4.4, before their dissemination; and

(4)take reasonable measures to ensure that other persons do not undertake on behalf of the candidate activities, other than those described in Rule 4.4, that the candidate is prohibited from doing by Rule 4.1.

(B)A candidate for elective judicial office may, unless prohibited by law,*

(1)establish a campaign committee pursuant to the provisions of Rule 4.4; and

(2)speak on behalf of his or her candidacy through any medium, including but not limited to advertisements, websites, or other campaign literature.

Ky. R. Sup. Ct. 4.2

Amended by Order 2018-17, eff. 11/29/2018; adopted by Order 2018-04, eff. 1/31/2018.

Comment

[1] The restrictions on political and campaign activities by judges and judicial candidates lose efficacy if their proxies engage in the prohibited conduct. Accordingly, judges and judicial candidates shall ensure that anyone speaking on behalf of or acting for the judge or judicial candidate, such as the judge or judicial candidate's Campaign Committee, campaign manager, or official proxy, not take any actions that the judge or judicial candidate is prohibited from doing. The judge or judicial candidate shall encourage members of the candidate's family* as well as friends and colleagues to adhere to the same standards of political conduct in support of the candidate as apply to the candidate. A judge or judicial candidate shall prohibit public officials or employees subject to the candidate's direction and control from doing for the candidate what the candidate is prohibited from doing under this Canon.

[2] In acting pursuant to paragraph (B)(2), judicial candidates for public election remain subject to the provisions of Rule 4.1.