The rules are different for candidates who want to serve on the bench, and experts are warning breaking them can be costly.
Chief Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrum had words of caution Friday for a handful of lawyers attending a judicial candidate forum at the Leon County Courthouse.
Judicial races are strictly non-partisan, he said, and even saying anything untruthful about yourself or your opponent is against the rules.
“If you haven’t served previously, really, your judicial election is your first test of whether you’re fit to serve.”
Judges have to not only be impartial, but also appear impartial, and that means not saying or doing anything that could give a hint about issues that could wind up in court, experts say.
So running a judicial campaign is like with running with one hand tied behind your back, says veteran Democratic political consultant Kevin Cate.
“This is very much like a job interview where you can only hand in the bottom part of your resume where it says where you went to school, what kind of credentials you have and what your previous job has been.”
Candidates would be wise to study the rules, experts say. Violating them on the campaign trail can result in a 50 thousand-dollar fine and removal from office if you win.
