Rule 21-405. Activities of judges who become candidates for nonjudicial office.

A. A judge seeking appointment to a public, nonjudicial office shall not: (1) solicit or accept funds, personally or through a committee, or otherwise, to support the candidacy; (2) engage in any political activity to secure the appointment except: (a) communicating with the appointing authority; (b) seeking the support or endorsement for the appointment from organizations and from individuals to the extent requested, required or permitted by the appointing authority, subject to these rules; and (c) providing to the appointing authority information concerning the candidate’s qualifications for the office. B. A judge seeking appointment to a public nonjudicial office, during the time the appointment is sought, shall be disqualified from presiding or participating as a judge in any legal proceeding involving or materially affecting the interests of: (1) the appointing authority; or (2) an organization or individual that has been contacted by the candidate to make, or is known by the candidate to be making, a recommendation to the appointing authority concerning the appointment. C. No judge of any court in the State of New Mexico may while in office accept a nomination for, or be elected to, a public nonjudicial office. A judge must, when filing a statement of candidacy for elective nonjudicial office, resign the judge’s office immediately.