Kentucky

Beshear picked John Paul Chappell, 37, over two others to fill the open 27th District Court judgeship in Laurel and Knox counties, a position vacated by recently elected Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Michael Caperton.

Chappell also filed on Dec. 12, 2007, to run in the 2008 election for that post along with four other contenders. Then, on Jan. 19, Chappell wrote a $200 check to Democrat Scott Alexander, who is running against Republican Rep. Brandon Smith in the Feb. 5 state Senate election.

Canon 5 of the Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct says "a judge or judicial candidate shall refrain from inappropriate political activity."

That includes endorsing candidates for office, soliciting money for political organizations or candidates or making contributions to party organizations or candidates, according to the canon.