Sponsor asks Supreme Court to bar judges from campaign events; committee debates impartiality and role of canons

Representative Robbie Carter introduced House Concurrent Resolution 74, which requests that the Louisiana Supreme Court develop rules prohibiting judges from attending campaign events for other elected officials.

"To avoid the appearance of impropriety, judges shouldn't go to campaign events for other candidates," Representative Robbie Carter told the committee, citing instances where judges' photos at fundraisers appeared online. Representative Brown and others urged caution, saying judges are elected officials who are part of the community and already face strict campaign restrictions; Brown noted judges typically may only raise campaign funds during the two years prior to an election and cannot retain campaign funds indefinitely.

Representative Jordan warned the committee that Canon 7 of the judicial code already addresses political activity and attendance at political gatherings, and he questioned whether the legislature could or should ask the Supreme Court to rewrite the canons. "Canon number 7 already says what they can't do," Jordan said, and noted the canons also permit attendance at political gatherings. Several members said the advent of social media and ubiquitous photos complicates appearances; supporters of the resolution argued that images taken at fundraisers create an impression of endorsement even where none exists. Others, including Representative Wiley and Representative O'Feuer, said attendance does not automatically equal endorsement and warned against asking the Supreme Court to devote resources to what they called a modest appearance concern.

With no amendment adopted, Representative Carter moved to voluntarily defer his measure after committee discussion; the motion carried without objection.