Michigan’s top Republican-backed judge endorses Democratic-aligned candidate for state Supreme Court

Chief Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement, who was nominated for her seat on the bench by the Republican Party, has endorsed Democratic-backed state Supreme Court candidate Kimberly Ann Thomas. 

MICHIGAN—Chief Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement, who was nominated to the bench by the Michigan Republican Party, is officially wading into this year’s high-stakes election to replace her soon-to-retire, Republican-nominated colleague, Justice David Viviano.

But instead of calling for another Republican-backed candidate to serve an eight-year term on the bench, Clement said that she wants to see Viviano replaced by Democratic-backed candidate Kimberly Ann Thomas, she announced in a social media post on Tuesday.

“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.”

Thomas is running against Republican state Rep. Andrew Fink for a seat on the bench.

Clement’s statement didn’t elaborate on why she crossed party lines to support Thomas over Fink so close to Election Day—but she touted Thomas as “an excellent addition to the Court.”

“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,” Clement said.

In a statement, Thomas said she was “proud” to have Clement’s endorsement.

“It is an honor to be endorsed by a possible future colleague,” Thomas said.

What’s at stake?

Two Michigan Supreme Court seats are up for grabs in this year’s election. 

Democratic-backed justices currently hold a 4-3 majority on the Court. Republican victories could flip control of the court, while two Democratic wins would yield a 5-2 majority. 

In addition to the race between Thomas and Fink for an eight-year term, incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden is also running against Republican-backed candidate Patrick William O’Grady.

And with crucial decisions involving reproductive rights, abortion bans, gun safety laws, and election integrity making their way to state supreme courts across the country in recent years, whoever wins will likely have a hand in making some big decisions for the people of Michigan.

Who else is backing Thomas?

In addition to Clement, Thomas’ campaign has also been endorsed by Reproductive Freedom for All, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, the Michigan Nurses Association, the Michigan Democratic Party, and other groups with records of defending reproductive rights. 

Her campaign has also garnered support from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the Michigan AFL-CIO, the Michigan Association for Justice, Michigan United Action, and a wide range of labor unions that collectively represent hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers.

What about Fink?

Fink’s campaign is backed by a nomination from the Michigan Republican Party—which is generally opposed to reproductive rights, gun safety reforms, and minimum wage increases.

Right to Life of Michigan, a staunch, anti-abortion organization with a history of advocating for state legislation to restrict reproductive rights in Michigan, is backing Fink this year, as is a long list of ultra-conservative Republican politicians who are listed under Fink’s endorsements. 

That includes several sponsors of state-level anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ bills, as well as several state lawmakers who have been identified as election deniers in a recent report.

READ MORE: 5 things to know about Kimberly Ann Thomas

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