Judicial Campaign Missteps Flagged as Races More Intense

Judicial candidates running more organized and aggressive races are facing professional sanctions for campaign tactics or behind-the-scenes maneuvering that wouldn’t raise eyebrows in a city council or mayoral run.

Courts and bar associations are moving against attorney challengers and sitting judges if they step out of line in their campaigns, a growing number of which are fueled by piles of outside cash that raise other ethical red flags.

An attorney in Ohio running for a judgeship received a public reprimand this year for alleging incorrectly in a campaign letter that her opponent moved to the county to get a court ...