Can a judge continue to employ a judicial assistant who has qualified to run for public office?

Yes, according to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, as long as the judge avoids participating in any aspect of their JA’s campaign for a non-partisan public office and enforces strict office rules of no campaign-related work, calls, or emails during the workday, and reiterates that the judge’s name or position may not be used or referenced during fundraising activities.

If the judge can do that, it would not be viewed as endorsing or lending the prestige of office for the advancement of the judicial assistant’s private interests, according to JEAC Opinion No. 2024-10, released August 2.