The Michigan GOP continues to be a chaos party with no platform other than this: worship convicted felon Donald Trump and defend him no matter what he says or does.
It’s a deranged cult of personality, with Trump’s big lies, bottomless corruption, white supremacy, and dangerous authoritarianism governing their every move.
Trump’s influence also extends to the recent selection of the two right-wing extremists the Michigan MAGA Republicans have nominated as their candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court. Two seats are up for election this fall, one for a partial term and one for a full term.
Historic incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, who is serving in her second year on the state’s highest court, is seeking election to a four-year partial term that expires Jan. 1, 2029. Justice Bolden is opposed by Circuit Court Judge Patrick William O’Grady. Prof. Kimberly Ann Thomas is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer and law professor at the University of Michigan Law School, and is running against GOP State Rep. Andrew Fink.
Justice Bolden has been a steadfast champion of fairness, equality, and justice throughout her career. Her dedication to impartiality and her proven track record makes her an invaluable asset to our judiciary. While Bolden has made history as the youngest, and first, Black woman to serve on the state’s highest court, O’Grady could make history by undermining Michiganders’ fundamental rights.
Prof. Thomas, a strong defender of reproductive rights, is renowned for her expertise and tireless advocacy in the legal field. Her commitment to upholding democratic principles and her deep understanding of the law will bring critical perspectives to the Court. Her opponent has consistently supported anti-abortion extremist policies and voted against the repeal of Michigan's 1931 criminal abortion ban.
Fink also has flirted with election denial conspiracy theories and echoed Trump's false claims about the 2020 election. We cannot afford to let his dangerous rhetoric influence our highest court.
In a recent debate, O’Grady introduced himself as a Christian man who, if elected, would adhere to a strict, textualist interpretation of the state Constitution as a “rule of law judge.” That’s the same judicial philosophy that guided the majority on Trump’s handpicked U.S. Supreme Court that handed down the Dobbs decision taking away reproductive freedom for millions of women.
Michiganders have been clear about their support for abortion access and reproductive rights, by first rejecting Trump in 2022, then passing Prop 3 and electing a pro-choice Democratic majority in the state House and Senate. Despite this, extremists like O’Grady and Fink could enforce dangerous, archaic abortion bans that would put thousands of lives at risk here in Michigan.
Make no mistake, abortion rights are on the line in Michigan, and we’re not going back. If Trump has more allies on our state Supreme Court, all of the progress we have made in Michigan could be lost.
This election is a pivotal moment for Michigan. By electing Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas, we will have two outstanding justices who will join their colleagues on the bench to prioritize the fundamental rights of all Michiganders and the health of our democracy by keeping abortion legal, protecting our freedoms, and supporting Michigan’s hard-working families and their children.
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 this November 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.
