Opinion ID: 626146
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: The Endorsement Clause

Text: The endorsement clause prohibits a judicial candidate from publicly endors[ing] or, except for the judge or candidate's opponent, publicly oppos[ing] another candidate for public office. 52 Minn. Stat. Ann., Code of Judicial Conduct, Rule 4.1(A)(3). [33] This restriction depends wholly upon the subject matter of the speech for its invocation. Candidates are not barred from talking about other candidates for any purpose other than endorsing or opposing them. Restricting speech based on its subject matter triggers the same strict scrutiny as does restricting core political speech. White II, 416 F.3d at 763-64. [34] As we noted in White II: [A] candidate, no less than any other person, has a First Amendment right to engage in the discussion of public issues and vigorously and tirelessly to advocate his own election and the election of other candidates. Indeed, it is of particular importance that candidates have the unfettered opportunity to make their views known [and associate with like-minded persons] so that the electorate may intelligently evaluate the candidates' personal qualities and their positions on vital public issues before choosing among them on election day. Mr. Justice Brandeis' observation that in our country public discussion is a political duty, applies with special force to candidates for public office. . . . [T]he First Amendment simply cannot tolerate [a] restriction upon the freedom of a candidate to speak [or associate] without legislative limit on behalf of his own candidacy. 416 F.3d at 757 n. 8 (alterations in original) (quoting Buckley, 424 U.S. at 52-54, 96 S.Ct. 612). Thus, the endorsement clause burdens political expression because it impairs a candidate's ability to vigorously advocate the election of other candidates whose success may also benefit the candidate, associate with like-minded candidates, and, thus, vigorously advocate his or her own campaign. Such a burden on political speech triggers strict scrutiny. Citizens United, 130 S.Ct. at 898; see also White II, 416 F.3d at 748-49.