On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 21Alive reported that Senior Judge Wendy Davis is facing a formal ethics complaint filed by the Allen County Democratic Party with the Indiana Supreme Court. The complaint alleges that Judge Davis violated judicial rules by co-hosting a campaign event for Ewelina Connolly, a Republican candidate for Allen County Commissioner.
According to the complaint filed by Democratic Party Chair Chad Wierzbinski, Davis hosted a meet-and-greet event for Connolly. The complaint includes an email from the county GOP advertising the event and a picture from the gathering. Wierzbinski also claims Davis violated a rule when she filed to form an exploratory committee and marked herself as a Republican.
Judge Davis has denied any wrongdoing, stating that different rules apply to senior judges. In a statement, Davis said that the Code of Judicial Conduct is not applied in the same manner to her position as an appointed Senior Judge, compared to elected full-time judicial officers. She said the rules state that a senior judge is not required to comply with the court’s political and campaign activities rules. The Senior Judge Handbook states that the Code of Judicial Conduct does not prohibit a Senior Judge from publicly endorsing candidates for public office; however, a Senior Judge may not use his or her judicial title or court resources to boost such endorsements.
Allen County Republican Chairman Steve Shine has dismissed the Democrats’ complaint as baseless. Shine stated that the Democrats should have checked with the Indiana Supreme Court to see what is allowed under Wendy’s obligations. Shine also suggested that politics is at play.
Shine noted that Wendy Davis has formed an exploratory committee, although she hasn’t identified which office she is running for. He speculated that she may be running for mayor in 2027 and that the attacks have begun because the Democrats are nervous.
Wierzbinski stated that the Allen County Republican Party is also culpable, as they should have known the rules about judges hosting events and advertising for them. Shine responded that neither he nor Davis broke any rules.
Connolly stated that she is honored to be supported by strong community leaders and has full confidence that Judge Davis was in complete compliance with judicial ethics rules and Indiana Supreme Court requirements in serving as a co-host of her meet-and-greet event.
Wierzbinski said that partisan events present a conflict of interest, and he will wait for the Indiana Supreme Court to weigh in on his complaint.
Source: 21Alive
