The rules apply to candidates for and officeholders of the following positions:

• Chief justice or justice of the Supreme Court

• Presiding judge or judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals

• Chief justice or justice of a court of appeals

• District judge

• Judge of a statutory county court

• Judge of a statutory probate court

These do not apply to justices of the peace. Specific-purpose political committees supporting or opposing these candidates or assisting officeholders must follow similar rules.

Contribution limits apply per election (primary, general, and runoff are treated separately) and cover both monetary and in-kind contributions from a single person or entity. Limits depend on the office and judicial district population (based on the most recent federal census):

Additional Aggregate Limits:

• General-Purpose Committees (GPACs):Separate limits per GPAC and total from all GPACs.

  • Per GPAC: $25,000 (statewide); $5,000 (other offices).

  • Total from all GPACs: $300,000 (statewide); $75,000 (appeals >1M pop.); $52,500 (appeals ≤1M or district/county/probate >1M); $30,000 (district/county/probate 250K–1M); $15,000 (district/county/probate <250K). Exceeding the total limits future GPAC contributions to $50 each.

• Law Firms and Groups: Treated as a single contributor (firm + members, associates, employees, "of counsel," and spouses). After exceeding the group limit, further contributions are capped at $50.

  • Statewide or >1M pop.: $30,000 group limit.

  • 250K–1M pop.: $15,000 group limit.

  • <250K pop.: $6,000 group limit. (Individuals within the group still face per-person limits, e.g., $5,000 max for statewide.)

Contributions from a candidate's blood relatives (parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren) are unlimited. Spousal contributions are not attributed to the other spouse. Cash contributions are capped at $100 aggregate per person per reporting period.

Excess contributions over limits must be returned within 5 days of receipt or by the end of the reporting period.

Most individuals, entities, and committees can donate, subject to limits and prohibitions. Key points:

• Individuals: Any U.S. citizen or resident; minors' contributions are attributed to parents.

• Committees: Specific-purpose committees (PACs) supporting the candidate count toward limits. Out-of-state PACs require documentation if >$1,110 in a period (e.g., contributor lists).

• Unlimited Donors: Blood relatives (as noted above).

• Prohibited Donors: See FAQ #6 for details.

Contributions must be accepted (not just received) by the end of the reporting period; undecided contributions are deemed accepted.

Donations can only be accepted during the "election period," which begins 210 days before the ballot/application filing deadline (or vacancy date for unexpired terms) and ends 120 days after Election Day. Exceptions:

• Post-election debts: Up to 60 days after assuming office for appointed vacancies.

• Personal funds can be deposited or spent outside this period but must be reported as loans if deposited.

No moratorium during legislative sessions for judicial offices.

• Campaign Contributions: For elective office campaigns; require a filed treasurer appointment (Form JCTA).

• Officeholder Contributions: For unreimbursable official duties; no treasurer needed but subject to same timing/limits as campaign contributions.

Both must be kept in separate accounts from personal funds but can be combined with each other.

Several restrictions apply under the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act:

• Corporate/Labor Organizations: Prohibited (professional corporations exempt; partnerships with corporate partners prohibited).

• Foreign Nationals: Prohibited by federal law.

• Anonymous: >$50 must be remitted to the state treasury.

• In Certain Locations: Cannot accept in the Capitol, Capitol Extension, or courthouses.

• From Lobbyists: Restrictions on lobbyists using their own political funds for other candidates.

• Personal Use: Funds cannot benefit the candidate/officeholder personally (e.g., no salaries to self/spouse/children; no real property purchases/rentals from relatives/businesses).

• Cross-Office Use: Funds raised for nonjudicial offices cannot fund judicial campaigns (and vice versa); penalty up to 3x the amount misused.

• Cash >$100: Per person per period.

Contributions to other candidates are limited ($100 aggregate/year) or prohibited in some cases.

• Personal funds deposited into campaign accounts are treated as loans and must be reported (Schedule E(J)).

• Reimbursements from campaign funds are capped per election:

  • Statewide: $100,000

  • 1M pop.: $25,000

  • 250K–1M: $12,500

  • <250K: $5,000

• Intent to reimburse must be disclosed at the time of expenditure (no post-deadline changes).

• Subject to personal use prohibitions.

All candidates must appoint a treasurer via Form JCTA before accepting/spending. Reports (Form JC/OH) are filed with the Texas Ethics Commission (statewide/multi-county) or local authority (single-county statutory courts). Electronic filing required unless exempt (≤$33,910/year activity; affidavit needed).

Key Reports:

• Semiannual: Jan. 15 & July 15 (prior 6 months; local exempt if ≤$1,110).

• Pre-Election: 30 days & 8 days before (opposed candidates).

• Runoff: 8 days before.

• 48-Hour: >$2,220 from one source near election (Commission filers).

• Final: Ends candidacy; terminates treasurer.

• Annual (Surplus Funds): Jan. 1–15 for unexpended funds (ends with final disposition report).

Itemized: Contributions >$110; expenditures >$220. Keep records 2 years. Late fees: $500+.

Modified Reporting: Optional if ≤$1,110 total activity (skips pre-election reports).

Former candidates/officeholders have 6 years from the final report or leaving office to dispose of unexpended funds/assets/interest. File annual reports (Jan. 1–15) until final disposition. Options:

• Donate to party, candidates, or PACs (report required).

• Return to contributors (≤ aggregate from last 2 years per person).

• Give to charities, scholarships, or state treasury for primaries. File a Report of Final Disposition once all funds are gone (within 30 days of 6-year end).

Interest/gains >$140 must be reported and cannot be used personally.

• Forms: Texas Ethics Commission Forms.

• Full Guide: Campaign Finance Guide for Judicial Candidates (PDF).

• Judicial Limits: TEC Judicial Limits Page.

• Judicial Fairness Act: TEC Guidelines.

For personalized guidance, contact the Texas Ethics Commission. Note: This FAQ is for informational purposes; it does not constitute legal advice. Rules may change—verify with official sources.