2025 Judicial Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates/Officeholders
The 2027 Regular Legislative Session convenes on January 12, 2027. Please note that December 12, 2026, is the last day on which certain legislators, certain statewide officers, and certain political committees may accept contributions. The moratorium on accepting contributions begins December 13, 2026, and continues through June 20, 2027.
Who is Subject to the Moratorium
The following are subject to the moratorium:
However, a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature who was defeated at the November 3, 2026, general election is not subject to the moratorium, nor is a specific-purpose political committee that supports or assists only such an officeholder or member.
Contributions That Are Not Subject to the Moratorium
The moratorium DOES NOT apply to a political contribution that was made and accepted with the intent that it be used:
Texas Ethics Advisory Opinions Regarding the Moratorium
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 448
Whether a particular lawsuit is an “election contest” for purposes of the provision in the Election Code that allows a member of the legislature to accept political contributions during the moratorium period provided for in section 253.034 of the Election Code.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 411
Whether a political committee may issue checks to members of the legislature to replace checks that were given to members before the beginning of the moratorium.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 357
Whether a legislative caucus may continue to receive contributions of personal services during the moratorium period if the agreement to provide the services was entered into before the moratorium period.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 354
Whether a member of the House of Representatives may rely on the exception set out in section 253.034(c) of the Election Code if the member intends to run for the Senate in a special election that has not yet been ordered but which will almost certainly be ordered and held during the 1997 Legislative Session.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 351
Whether incumbent justices re-elected to the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals and justices newly elected to those courts in November 1996 may accept political contributions during the period beginning on December 15, 1996, and ending on March 5, 1997.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 346
Whether a statewide officeholder may accept an invitation to attend a fundraiser for a nonprofit organization during the moratorium on political contributions.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 253
Whether section 253.034 of the Election Code, which places a moratorium on certain political contributions before and during the regular legislative session, applies to a state district judge.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 239
Whether a legislator-elect may accept a donation of office space for use as a district office if the use will continue during the period covered by the moratorium on political contributions set out in section 253.034, Election Code.
Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 234
Whether Section 253.034, Election Code, which places a moratorium on certain political contributions before and during the regular legislative session, applies to a member of the State Board of Education.
A candidate subject to the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act must file a campaign treasurer appointment (Form JCTA) with the proper filing authority before accepting a campaign contribution or making or authorizing a campaign expenditure. NOTE: The Judicial Campaign Fairness Act applies to political contributions and expenditures in connection with the office of chief justice or justice, supreme court; presiding judge or judge, court of criminal appeals; chief justice or justice, court of appeals; district judge; judge, statutory county court; or judge, statutory probate court.
Limited Time Period for Accepting Contributions. A candidate subject to the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act may accept political contributions (campaign contributions or officeholder contributions) only during a limited time period.
Beginning Date. Candidates seeking an office that will be filled at the November 3, 2026, general election may accept political contributions during a time period that begins on May 12, 2025. (A write-in candidate may begin accepting contributions only after filing a declaration of write-in candidacy with the secretary of state or county judge, as applicable.)
Ending Date. The last day to accept political contributions is one of the following, as applicable:
2025 Judicial District Populations (based on the 2020 census data). The restrictions in the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act include contribution and expenditure limits, which may vary according to the population of the judicial district.
Other Restrictions. Candidates and officeholders subject to the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act are subject to various campaign finance restrictions that do not apply to nonjudicial candidates and officeholders. For more information, see the Campaign Finance Guide for Judicial Candidates and Officeholders.
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