Opinion 26-04

February 5, 2026

Facts/Issue:    The inquiring judge’s spouse attended a campaign fund-raiser and made a contribution from his/her own funds that was mistakenly attributed to the judge.  After learning of the error, at the judge’s request, his/her spouse asked a campaign representative to remove the judge’s name.  The campaign did so and also refunded the contribution to the judge’s spouse’s card.  Must the judge take any further action?

Discussion:     We have advised that a judge need not take any further action concerning a friend’s misdirected transmission of a campaign contribution into the judge’s joint bank account, after the judge’s spouse has moved the funds out of the account and directed them to their intended recipient.  Even where it is a judge or judicial candidate who makes a mistake, prompt corrective action may suffice.  For example, we said that a judicial candidate who inadvertently overpaid for a political event by purchasing a sponsor-level ticket rather than a general admission ticket, and who promptly requested a refund of the excess payment, need not take any further action. 

Conclusion:     As the judge did not authorize and was unaware of the campaign contribution, and took prompt corrective action on learning of it, the judge need not take any further action.

Authorities:    Opinions 25-107; 13-60.