Ethics Opinion 271

Ethics Opinion 271

11.17.1972

By Committee on Professional Ethics

NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Committee on Professional Ethics

Opinion #271 – 11/17/1972 (58-72)

Topic: Judges; Partisan Politics
Digest: Improper for candidate for judicial office to agree with political organization as a condition to designation by its party not to seek nomination of another political party
Code:  EC 8-6; Canon 8

QUESTION

Is it ethical for a prospective candidate for judicial office to enter into an agreement that the local county committee of a political party requires as a condition to the party’s designation or nomination of a candidate for judicial office that he will not seek the designation or nomination of any other political party?

OPINION

In N.Y. State 250 (1972), it was held to be improper for a candidate for judicial office to agree with a political organization, as a condition to designation by its party, not to accept nomination by another political party.For the reasons set forth in that opinion, it is likewise improper for such a candidate to agree, as a condition to nomination, not to seek nomination by another political party. See also, EC 8-6; Canon 8.