On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Louisiana Illuminator reported that the Louisiana Board of Ethics approved the use of campaign funds by a Jefferson Parish judge for expenses related to his role as king of a Mardi Gras krewe. The decision allows 24th Judicial District Judge Adrian Adams to utilize campaign contributions to purchase items such as cups, beads, and other carnival favors displaying his name and image. These items are intended for distribution at parades and other Mardi Gras festivities.
Judge Adams, who is up for reelection this year, sought an advisory opinion from the ethics board to confirm the permissibility of using campaign funds for these Mardi Gras-related expenses. In his request, Adams stated that using the funds would enable him to engage with constituents within Jefferson Parish.
David Bordelon, the ethics administrator, affirmed the board’s approval, stating that the law does not prohibit candidates from using contributions for Mardi Gras items, provided they bear the candidate’s name and image. This decision aligns with previous board opinions from the late 1990s, which recognized Mardi Gras parade throws featuring politicians’ names and images as legitimate campaign expenses.
The recent decision comes in the wake of the Louisiana Legislature’s move to ease restrictions on campaign spending for Mardi Gras-related activities. Previously, the board had prohibited the use of campaign funds for Carnival krewe membership dues and parade participation if the elected official or candidate’s face was covered. However, a comprehensive revision of campaign finance laws last year has effectively removed these limitations.
Under the revised regulations, politicians are now permitted to use campaign and political action committee funds for krewe dues, provided that membership in the krewe facilitates interaction with constituents, other elected officials, or former elected officials.
Furthermore, the updated legislation includes a specific provision that allows for greater flexibility in the use of campaign funds for Washington Mardi Gras, an annual event held in the nation’s capital.
In a related matter, the ethics board issued an advisory opinion in November to Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden, confirming the legality of using campaign funds to cover his expenses for Washington Mardi Gras. Madden stated that he plans to attend the event in his official capacity as a representative of the city.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator
