Iowa Ct. R. 51:4.2

(A) A judicial candidate* in a retention election shall:

(1) act at all times in a manner consistent with the independence,* integrity,* and

impartiality* of the judiciary;

(2) comply with all applicable election, election campaign, and election campaign

fund-raising laws, regulations of Iowa, and this Code;

(3) review and approve the content of all campaign statements and materials produced by

the candidate or his or her campaign committee, as authorized by rule 51:4.4, before their

dissemination; and

(4) take reasonable measures to ensure that other persons do not undertake on behalf of the

judicial candidate activities, other than those described in rule 51:4.4, that the candidate is

prohibited from doing by rule 51:4.1.

(B) A judicial candidate in a retention election may, unless prohibited by law*:

(1) establish a campaign committee pursuant to the provisions of rule 51:4.4;

(2) speak on behalf of his or her candidacy through any medium, including, but not limited

to, advertisements, websites, or other campaign literature; and

(3) seek, accept, or use endorsements from any person or organization other than a partisan

political organization.

Comment

[1] Paragraph (B) permits judicial candidates in retention elections to engage in some political

and campaign activities otherwise prohibited by rule 51:4.1.

[2] Despite paragraph (B), judicial candidates for retention election remain subject to many of the

provisions of rule 51:4.1. For example, a candidate continues to be prohibited from soliciting funds

for a political organization, knowingly making false or misleading statements during a campaign, or

making certain promises, pledges, or commitments related to future adjudicative duties. See rule

51:4.1(A), paragraphs (4), (11), and (13).

[3] In retention elections, paragraph (B)(3) prohibits a candidate from seeking, accepting, or using

nominations or endorsements from a partisan political organization.