Democratic-backed justices want to defend control of the Michigan Supreme Court

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan Democrats and their allies defended their majority on the state Supreme Court Tuesday afterward A campaign marked by exorbitant spending.

Court races are nonpartisan, but candidates are nominated at party conventions. The Democratic-backed justices currently hold a 4-3 advantage, and Republicans have sought to overturn that over the past two years to regain control in a Democratic-dominated state. To do this, they must win both seats in the election.

The four candidates spent most of their official campaign resources promoting their professional experience and qualifications, leaving contracting parties and outside spending groups to define the issues.

Supported by Republicans Judge Patrick O'Grady is seeking election for the seat of Judge Kyra Harris Boldenwho ran unsuccessfully for the court before being appointed to a vacancy in 2022 Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

She is the first Black woman on the bench and would be the first elected judge if she wins the race. O'Grady has drawn on his experience as a state trooper, prosecutor and longtime district judge in southern Michigan. The winner will serve the final four years of the eight-year term vacated by former Justice Bridget McCormick in 2022.

Republican nominee Rep. Andrew Fink and Democratic nominee law professor Kimberly Anne Thomas are competing for a full-term seat being vacated by Judge David Viviano, a Republican-backed justice. Thomas and Bolden have campaigned arm-in-arm since being formally nominated by the Democratic Party in August.

Fink, like O'Grady, has said his election would restore balance to a court that has been accused of “legislating from the bench” in recent years in favor of liberal causes and Democratic policies.

Abortion access was enshrined in the state constitution by voters in 2022. Democratic allies have framed the race through the lens of reproductive rights and said the court has the potential to rule on abortion in the future. Republicans rejected that idea, saying the change excluded abortion protections that could not be undone.

According to this, about one in ten voters in Michigan named abortion as the country's biggest problem AP VoteCasta comprehensive survey of more than 110,000 voters across the country, including about 3,700 voters in Michigan. About 4 in 10 Michigan voters said the economy and jobs were the most pressing issue, and about 2 in 10 in Michigan cited immigration.