Opinion 87-16

January 28, 1988

Topic:          Judge’s campaign committee paying from campaign funds for reception following ceremonial robing of elected judge.

Digest:         A campaign committee may finance from campaign funds a modest and reasonable victory reception following the election of a judge.

Rules:          100.7; Canon 7

Opinion:

         A newly elected Supreme Court Justice asks whether it is permissible for the campaign committee, following a ceremonial robing, to hold, financed by unexpended campaign funds, a modest reception to which contributors and campaign workers are invited.

         The expenditure of some unexpended campaign funds by the campaign committee to finance such a reception is appropriate and permissible, provided that the affair is modest and reasonable. The “induction”, “robing”, or “victory” party or reception is a traditional part of the total election process and a reasonable expenditure is expected for this purpose by those persons who contributed to the campaign fund.

         This Opinion is advisory only and does not bind either the Office of Court Administration or the Committee on Judicial Conduct.