Summary of activities
Kentucky
Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee
2005-2013
The Kentucky Judicial
Campaign Conduct Committee was formed because judges, lawyers and citizens had
become concerned that recent court decisions would cause judicial elections to
become too much like executive and legislative elections, eroding the
independence, image and integrity of the judiciary. The committee resolved to:
- Educate citizens about the nature of judicial offices and elections;
- Encourage judicial candidates to run dignified campaigns and avoid making specific promises about how they might rule on any matter in order to get votes;
- Monitor judicial races, consider complaints of unethical campaigning and make public statements when warranted.
Each year when judicial
elections are held, the committee encourages candidates to sign a pledge “to disavow
false or misleading advertising and other campaign tactics that “impugn the integrity of the judicial system, the
integrity of a candidate, or erode public trust and confidence in the
independence and impartiality of the judiciary.” The committee then publicizes
which candidates have signed the pledge, and, if it issues a statement
criticizing a candidate who has signed the pledge, that is noted.
The
committee attempts to persuade candidates to campaign in a fair and dignified
manner, specifically to refrain from "attack ads" that misrepresent
an opponent's record or are personally demeaning. The committee believes that
such ads undermine the public's trust in the integrity of the judiciary.
The
committee holds held regional meetings for candidates, and advises them that
responses to interest-group questionnaires might be interpreted as commitments
to rule in a certain way. The committee responds to inquiries from candidates
who have questions that relate to our procedures, policies and past statements
of opinion.
The
committee has considered approximately 20 complaints involving races at every
level of the state judiciary and has issued public statements when it has
concluded that campaigning by a candidate deserves public criticism.
In some
cases the committee has sent its findings only to the candidates involved, some
of whom have used the findings in advertising. The committee asks candidates to
correct misstatements in campaign materials, and issues a public statement if
the misrepresentation is not corrected.
In a few cases,
the committee has investigated a matter that was not the subject of a formal
complaint. In one case it investigated a public allegation made by a supporter
of a candidate against her opponent, and issued a statement saying the
available evidence showed the allegation was not true.
In 2010,
the committee issued a statement responding to a decision by the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit that judicial candidates may personally solicit
campaign funds, announce their party affiliation and receive political party
endorsements. The committee said it was concerned that the ruling on
contributions may undermine the integrity of judicial elections and thus damage
public regard for the judiciary. It also reiterated that judicial candidates
should not make statements about issues that might come before them.
The
Kentucky Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee is an independent, non-profit,
non-partisan group of interested citizens from all over Kentucky. It has made
an effort to include people from various walks of life and political viewpoints,
including civic leaders, attorneys, non-lawyers and retired judges. The
committee’s bylaws require that no fewer than 30 percent nor more than 60
percent of the members be practicing members of the Kentucky bar.
For the committee membership, click here.
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