Gun safety group backs Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas for state Supreme Court

The largest gun violence prevention organization in the country is urging Michiganders to elect Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas to the state Supreme Court.

MICHIGAN—Gun safety advocates are calling on Michiganders to elect two Democratic-backed candidates to the state Supreme Court this year—namely because they’ve each been endorsed by other organizations that support “common sense” gun safety policies in Michigan.

Last week, Everytown for Gun Safety—which bills itself as “the largest gun violence prevention organization in America”—announced a $400,000 advertising campaign in support of Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas, Democratic-backed candidates who are running against Republican-backed opponents for two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court this year.

The new ads (part of a larger, $2.1 million direct mail program) highlight how Bolden and Thomas have each been endorsed by groups that have supported gun safety measures—such as expanding background checks on gun sales and secure gun storage laws to protect children.

Those groups include the Michigan Democratic Party, EMILY’s List, and Fems for Democracy. 

The ads also call out the Republican-backed candidates, Patrick O’Grady and Andrew Fink, for drawing support from “organizations and leaders” opposed to both gun safety measures and abortion rights, including an array of current and former Republican elected officials in Michigan. 

“Everytown is proud to back state Supreme Court candidates who understand the Second Amendment is perfectly compatible with common-sense gun safety laws to protect schools, law enforcement and our communities,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. 

Democratic-led legislation signed into law last year by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was aimed at curbing gun violence—namely by ensuring that guns are kept out of the hands of children and teenagers, and requiring background checks be completed before all firearm purchases.

Those laws officially took effect in February, but have since faced several legal challenges from various right-wing groups—which could ultimately lead to the state Supreme Court deciding whether or not those recent gun safety laws comport with the state Constitution.

The new mailers from Everytown for Gun Safety encourage Michigan voters to do their own research—and take an especially close look at each of the four candidates’ endorsements.

“The Michigan Supreme Court interprets our state Constitution and protects our rights, including abortion access and gun safety,” the mailer states. “Do your research and vote your values.”

The ad also breaks down the basics: Bolden and Thomas are endorsed by the Michigan Democratic Party—which was responsible for the passage of the state’s latest gun safety reforms, including universal background checks and secure storage measures. O’Grady and Fink, on the other hand, are both endorsed by the Michigan Republican Party—which is filled with lawmakers who opposed those gun safety reforms when they came up for a vote last year. 

Fink also personally voted against some of the legislation when it came up for a vote. 

Despite the clear party affiliation, the race for the Michigan Supreme Court is technically nonpartisan—meaning none of the candidates will be clearly marked as a Republican or Democrat on the ballot this year. That leaves voters to decide for themselves which candidates most closely align with their values.

“With far too many reckless rulings coming from the US Supreme Court, it’s never been more important to elect state judges who reject the gun lobby’s guns everywhere agenda and respect the people’s right to protect themselves from gun violence,” Feinblatt said last week. 

Everytown is also running ads in support of Democratic presidential nominee  Kamala Harris, the party’s US Senate nominee, US Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), and other “gun sense” candidates running for the state House of Representatives. Other ads are also focusing on elections in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

READ MORE: 10 cases that show how the Michigan Supreme Court shapes your rights

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