In the battle for the open Michigan Supreme Court seats, Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas were raking in important endorsements this week.
First, Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement endorsed Thomas against her Republican opponent Andrew Fink. Even though Justice Clement was nominated by the Republican party in 2012, she endorsed Thomas for the seat currently held by GOP-nominated Justice David Viviano.
“I am pleased to endorse Kimberly Ann Thomas for Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court,” Clement said in this week’s announcement. “I worked with Professor Thomas when I co-chaired the bipartisan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform and I have every confidence that she will continue to work for collaborative and practical ways to improve our state courts.”
Clement added, “I know she and I will not agree on every issue, but her experience and background and commitment to civility and access to justice will make the Court stronger. She will be an excellent addition to the Court.”
Then, the Detroit Free Press and the Michigan Chronicle endorsed both Harris Bolden and Thomas, emphasizing their record of compassion and fairness:
Detroit Free Press: Endorsement: Free Press picks for Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Chronicle: Michigan Chronicle’s 2024 Endorsements: Michigan Supreme Court
The Free Press editorial, published Oct. 25, said, in part:
"Four candidates are competing for two spots on the Michigan Supreme Court.
"The seven justices serving on the state supreme court are the final authority in matters of state law, ruling on questions from whether the state’s civil rights law banning sex-based discrimination applies to sexual orientation — it does, the court ruled in 2022 — or on the constitutionality of the controversial legislative “adopt and amend” process this year — it didn't pass muster.
"The high court also oversees the lower courts, establishes procedural rules for all Michigan courts and rules on requests of the Judicial Tenure Commission to remove judges from the bench for misconduct.
"It’s a peculiarity of Michigan politics — and can be a source of confusion for voters — that seats on the court are nonpartisan, but candidates for those seats are nominated by the political parties.
"Incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, nominated by the Democratic Party, was appointed to the bench by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after former Chief Justice Bridget McCormack left the court in 2022. Harris was the highest unseated vote-getter in that year’s election.
"William O’Grady, a west Michigan circuit court judge nominated by the Republican Party, is running to unseat Bolden.
"University of Michigan law professor and Juvenile Justice Clinic director Kimberly Ann Thomas, nominated by the Democrats, and state Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale, nominated by the GOP, are competing for the seat soon to be vacated by retiring justice Viviano.
"Each justice is elected to an eight-year term."
Kyra Harris Bolden
"In her short time on the bench, Bolden has written several majority opinions, one unanimous, demonstrating an ability to gather consensus and the respect of her fellow justices as the least senior member of the court.
"Harris Bolden relishes the outreach responsibilities that come with being a Supreme Court justice, helming two task forces on treatment courts and child welfare, working with attorneys, judges, social workers and lawmakers to boost statewide access to resources that can improve outcomes of the court system.
"She also speaks regularly at churches and schools on being Michigan’s first Black woman to serve on the state Supreme Court."
Kimberly Ann Thomas
"Kimberly Ann Thomas, a trial and appellate lawyer, is now a law professor at the University of Michigan Law School, where she leads the school’s Juvenile Justice Clinic. She served on Michigan’s bipartisan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, and has worked on the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative, developing law school curricula in countries like Turkey and Jordan.
"Thomas says she wants to ensure the quality of the justice dispensed by Michigan’s highest court, and points to on-the-ground experience in the state’s lower courts, saying she’d bring real-world insight to the court’s deliberations.
"Thomas has a nuanced understanding of a judge’s role, which she says always starts with the law as written, but extends to analysis of legal precedents developed since the law was passed — in Michigan courts, other state Supreme Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court — and interpretations of the law in the briefs filed by each party. If the court veers beyond a textualist interpretation, she says, it must have a real reason or explanation to point to. Rulings must be sound decisions, she explained, but Michiganders must also have faith and confidence in those decisions."
With strong, effective leaders like Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas serving on Michigan’s Supreme Court, Democrats have a HISTORIC opportunity to make sure there is equal justice under the law for every Michigander.
We must elect Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas to the state Supreme Court if we want to protect our future from extremists like O’Grady and Fink.
And remember, because Supreme Court seats are nonpartisan positions, voters must go to that separate section on the ballot (usually on the reverse side) and individually select their preferred candidates even if they vote straight party for other elected positions.
