Michigan Supreme Court elections, 2024
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Democrats expanded their majority on the Michigan Supreme Court from 4-3 to 5-2 after the November 5, 2024, elections.
Both parties aimed to have control of the court based on the outcome of the races. Heading into the elections, Associated Press wrote, "Democratic-backed justices currently hold a 4-3 majority. Republican victories in both races would flip control of the court, while two Democratic wins would yield a 5-2 supermajority. Republicans have framed the races as a fight to stop government overreach, while Democrats say it is a battle to preserve reproductive rights."[1]
Kimberly Thomas defeated Andrew Fink in the election for a full eight-year term. Incumbent Kyra Harris Bolden defeated Patrick W. O'Grady in a special election. Michigan's Supreme Court elections are nonpartisan but candidates are nominated through a party convention. Thomas and Bolden were affiliated with the Democratic Party. Fink and O'Grady were affiliated with the Republican Party. Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) appointed Bolden in November 2022. The special election determined who would serve the remaining four years of Bridget Mary McCormack's term.[2] Incumbent David Viviano (R) did not run for re-election.
In 2022, incumbent justices Richard Bernstein (D) and Brian Zahra (R) both won re-election defeating three other candidates, including Bolden. Bernstein received 33.9% of the vote, Zahra received 23.9%, and Bolden came in third place, receiving 21.9%. Democrats won control of the court in the 2020 elections. That year McCormack (D) and Elizabeth Welch (D) won 32.3% and 20.2% of the vote respectively, defeating two Republican-nominated candidates and three other candidates.
All four candidates completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Click here to read their responses.
Fink was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2020. He earned a bachelor's degree from Hillsdale College and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Before he was elected to the House, Fink was a commissioner-at-large of the State Bar of Michigan, served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate, and worked in private practice.[3] In his Candidate Connection survey, Fink said he ran "to restore our judiciary’s commitment to protecting the will of the people, interpreting the law as it is written, and ensuring everyone receives due process, not just insiders."
Thomas was a lawyer and professor at the University of Michigan Law School. At the university, she was also the director and co-founder of the Juvenile Justice Clinic. [4] She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, and a law degree from Harvard Law School.[5] In her Candidate Connection survey, Thomas said, "I will bring over two decades of experience as a trial and appellate lawyer and a law professor to ensure that the Michigan Supreme Court fulfills its constitutional role in our democracy and that the people of Michigan can have access to, and be respected in, our court system."
Bolden assumed office on January 1, 2023. Before her appointment, she served in the state House from 2019 to 2023. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Before holding public office, Bolden was a criminal defense attorney and a civil litigation attorney.[6] In her Candidate Connection survey, Bolden said, "I believe in upholding the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. My philosophy is based on the belief that all legal decisions should be guided by principles of thoughtfulness, fairness, impartiality, and adherence to legislative intent and the Michigan Constitution. Additionally, I believe in the importance of judicial independence and the separation of powers to safeguard the integrity of the legal system."
O'Grady was a judge of the Michigan 15th Circuit Court. He previously served in the U.S. Army Reserve and worked as an attorney, Michigan state trooper, and Michigan State Police officer. O'Grady earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a law degree from Cooley Law School.[7] In Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, O'Grady said, "My unwavering commitment to safeguarding families, championing individual rights, and upholding the integrity of our beloved Michigan is evident in my distinguished record. My steadfast adherence to the Rule of Law in the trial court is a testament to my judicial philosophy, one that I pledge to bring to bear as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court."
Michigan was one of 33 states that held state supreme court elections in 2024. In total, 82 of the 344 seats on state supreme courts were up for election in 2024. Nonpartisan justices held 61 of those seats, Republicans held 15, and Democrats held six. Click here to learn about Ballotpedia's coverage of state supreme court elections in 2024.
Candidates and results
Regular election
General election
General election for Michigan Supreme Court
Kimberly Thomas defeated Andrew Fink in the general election for Michigan Supreme Court on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)  | 61.1 | 2,400,718 |
 | Andrew Fink (Nonpartisan) | 38.9 | 1,531,382 | |
| Total votes: 3,932,100 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court
Kimberly Thomas advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Kimberly Thomas (D) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican convention
Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court
Andrew Fink advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Andrew Fink (R) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Special election
General election
Special general election for Michigan Supreme Court
Incumbent Kyra Harris Bolden defeated Patrick W. O'Grady in the special general election for Michigan Supreme Court on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan) | 61.5 | 2,430,106 |
 | Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan) | 38.5 | 1,518,641 | |
| Total votes: 3,948,747 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic convention
Special Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court
Incumbent Kyra Harris Bolden advanced from the special Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Kyra Harris Bolden (D) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican convention
Special Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court
Patrick W. O'Grady advanced from the special Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Patrick W. O'Grady (R) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Michigan
Candidate comparison
Candidate profiles
Regular election
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
Michigan House of Representatives District 58 (2021-2023)
Michigan House of Representatives District 35 (Assumed office: 2023)
Submitted Biography: "As a candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court, Andrew Fink is running to restore our judiciary’s commitment to protecting the will of the people, interpreting the law as it is written, and ensuring everyone receives due process, not just insiders. Andrew graduated from Hillsdale College and the University of Michigan Law School, after which he commissioned into active duty service in the United States Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate. After leaving the Marines, Andrew practiced law privately, eventually moving back to Hillsdale, Michigan with Lauren, his wife of 15 years, and their five children. Andrew currently serves as the State Representative for Michigan’s 35th House District, which includes Hillsdale County, Branch County, and the City of Hudson. He is the Republican Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and previously served as the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and State Police. As a state legislator, Andrew has persistently fought for constitutional government, and the civil rights and system of separated powers that it protects. As the son of a police officer and the grandson of a former district court judge, Andrew knows the value of public service and the rule of law. His deep understanding and reverence for the Constitution and our laws is coupled with his vast assortment of legal experience. Andrew has served as a commissioner-at-large for the State Bar of Michigan."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Michigan Supreme Court in 2024.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I am a lawyer and law professor at the University of Michigan Law School, where I teach students the ethical practice of law and work to improve the lives of Michigan’s youth through the Juvenile Justice Clinic, which I co-founded. In those roles, I have worked to improve our state courts, including by serving on Gov. Whitmer’s bipartisan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform. I have also been recognized for my legal work and research, including receiving a U.S. Fulbright scholar award. I have served as a legal expert for the Rule of Law Initiative of the American Bar Association. I clerked for the Hon. Guy R. Cole, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and previously worked as a public defender in Philadelphia. I graduated, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School and from the University of Maryland at College Park. I live in Washtenaw County, Michigan with my husband and two children, who attend public school. I am a volunteer Science Olympiad coach at my son’s middle school and a proud high school track and field mom."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Michigan Supreme Court in 2024.
Special election
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I grew up in Southfield, MI, with my parents and sister, and I'm proud to be a graduate of Southfield Public Schools. My father was a small business owner, and my mother was an educator, instilling in me the belief that I could achieve anything. With the support of mentors, I pursued law school to serve the public. Through hard work, I gained valuable experiences as a defense attorney for those in need at the 46th District Court, clerking for Judge John Murphy in Wayne County, and working as an associate at the Lewis & Munday firm. My desire to make a difference led me to run for State Representative, where I served on the Ways & Means and Judiciary Committees. I aimed to help others recognize their potential, driving my mission to create positive change. Now, the Michigan Supreme Court offers an opportunity to combine my legislative, legal, and public service experience. When I was first appointed to this seat, I made history and garnered national attention for being the first Black Woman to serve on Michigan’s Supreme Court. I am currently the only person of color who sits on the bench. As a lawyer, I learned the importance of diverse voices in promoting justice. Throughout my tenure on the court, I made tough decisions that upheld the law, protected marginalized communities, and reinforced democracy. My work continues, which is why I am running for retention."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Michigan Supreme Court in 2024.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
Michigan's 15th Circuit Court (Assumed office: 2008)
Submitted Biography: "I have served as a steadfast presence on the 15th Circuit Court bench since my election in 2008, winning a contested election and subsequently securing unopposed reelections in 2014 and 2020. With over 15 years of judicial experience, I have presided over a staggering caseload of nearly 14,000 cases spanning complex litigation in both criminal and civil law realms. Throughout my tenure, I have demonstrated my judicial acumen in navigating diverse legal landscapes, from overseeing high-stakes criminal jury trials involving offenses such as murder, robbery, kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, domestic violence, and child abuse, to adjudicating matters in civil law encompassing labor disputes, contractual intricacies, property rights, family law issues, auto negligence, and nuanced topics like medical malpractice. Moreover, as a circuit court judge, I have the responsibility of adjudicating cases appealed from other trial courts or administrative agencies. My unwavering commitment to safeguarding families, championing individual rights, and upholding the integrity of our beloved Michigan is evident in my distinguished record. My steadfast adherence to the Rule of Law in the trial court is a testament to my judicial philosophy, one that I pledge to bring to bear as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Michigan Supreme Court in 2024.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Regular election
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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Andrew Fink (Nonpartisan)
Michigan's judiciary must work with law enforcement to prioritize public safety, not undermine their efforts to hold criminals accountable.
Michigan's judiciary must protect the will of the people by upholding the law as written. When judges interpret the law according to their personal policy preferences instead of according to the original meaning of the text, they undermine the will of the people as expressed through their elected representatives and their vote.
Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)
My expertise, including work for the ABA’s Rule of Law Initiative to promote justice and human dignity under the law, helps me bring a voice of integrity, fairness and equal protection to our Court.
I am committed to equal justice for all Michiganders, ensuring litigants are heard and respected before the court, and improving how the court system serves the public.
Andrew Fink (Nonpartisan)
Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)
Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)
Andrew Fink (Nonpartisan)
Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)
Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)
Andrew Fink (Nonpartisan)
Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)
Andrew Fink (Nonpartisan)
Kimberly Thomas (Nonpartisan)
Special election
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
The most pressing issue facing the judiciary is access to justice and trust in our institutions. Justice should not be dependent upon who you are or how much money you have. As a Michigan Supreme Court Justice, I’ve worked on this issue through various task forces and court rule changes. I have also made myself available to the community by speaking to various faith based organizations, bar associations, and afterschool programs to promote accessibility and transparency in our judiciary.
I believe in upholding the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. My philosophy is based on the belief that all legal decisions should be guided by principles of thoughtfulness, fairness, impartiality, and adherence to legislative intent and the Michigan Constitution. Additionally, I believe in the importance of judicial independence and the separation of powers to safeguard the integrity of the legal system.
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
As a Rule of Law Justice, I will prioritize governance rooted in the letter of our laws, not the whims of our leaders. As a Rule of Law Justice, I will protect the rights of all and make Michigan safe for our families.
I have a proven track record of protecting families, protecting your rights and protecting our Michigan.
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan - Outstanding
Black Women Lawyers Association- Outstanding
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan)
Patrick W. O'Grady (Nonpartisan)
Campaign ads
This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.
Andrew Fink
| July 23, 2024 |
View more ads here:
Kimberly Thomas
| September 27, 2024 |
| August 27, 2024 |
View more ads here:
Kyra Harris Bolden
| August 27, 2024 |
View more ads here:
Patrick W. O'Grady
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Patrick W. O'Grady while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Endorsements
Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.
Regular election
Special Election
Election competitiveness
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.
Election spending
Campaign finance
- See also: Campaign finance
The section and tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA.
Regular election
Special election
Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[8][9][10]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
Election analysis
Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.
- Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
- Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
- State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
- Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.
Cook PVI by congressional district
| Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Michigan, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| District | Incumbent | Party | PVI |
| Michigan's 1st | Jack Bergman |  Republican |
R+13 |
| Michigan's 2nd | John Moolenaar | Republican |
R+16 |
| Michigan's 3rd | Hillary Scholten |  Democratic |
D+1 |
| Michigan's 4th | Bill Huizenga | Republican |
R+5 |
| Michigan's 5th | Tim Walberg | Republican |
R+15 |
| Michigan's 6th | Debbie Dingell | Democratic |
D+11 |
| Michigan's 7th | Elissa Slotkin | Democratic |
R+2 |
| Michigan's 8th | Dan Kildee | Democratic |
R+1 |
| Michigan's 9th | Lisa McClain | Republican |
R+18 |
| Michigan's 10th | John James | Republican |
R+3 |
| Michigan's 11th | Haley Stevens | Democratic |
D+7 |
| Michigan's 12th | Rashida Tlaib | Democratic |
D+23 |
| Michigan's 13th | Shri Thanedar | Democratic |
D+23 |
2020 presidential results by 2024 congressional district lines
| 2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2024 district lines, Michigan[11] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Joe Biden 
|
Donald Trump 
| ||
| Michigan's 1st | 39.3% | 59.1% | ||
| Michigan's 2nd | 35.0% | 63.2% | ||
| Michigan's 3rd | 53.3% | 44.8% | ||
| Michigan's 4th | 47.1% | 51.1% | ||
| Michigan's 5th | 37.1% | 61.2% | ||
| Michigan's 6th | 62.7% | 36.0% | ||
| Michigan's 7th | 49.4% | 48.9% | ||
| Michigan's 8th | 50.3% | 48.2% | ||
| Michigan's 9th | 34.6% | 64.0% | ||
| Michigan's 10th | 48.8% | 49.8% | ||
| Michigan's 11th | 59.3% | 39.4% | ||
| Michigan's 12th | 73.7% | 25.2% | ||
| Michigan's 13th | 74.2% | 24.6% | ||
2012-2020
How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:
| County-level voting pattern categories | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | |||||||
| Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
| Solid Democratic | D | D | D | ||||
| Trending Democratic | R | D | D | ||||
| Battleground Democratic | D | R | D | ||||
| New Democratic | R | R | D | ||||
| Republican | |||||||
| Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
| Solid Republican | R | R | R | ||||
| Trending Republican | D | R | R | ||||
| Battleground Republican | R | D | R | ||||
| New Republican | D | D | R | ||||
Following the 2020 presidential election, 46.0% of Michiganians lived in one of the state's eight Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 29.1% lived in one of 61 Solid Republican counties. Overall, Michigan was Battleground Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Donald Trump (R) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Michigan following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.
| Michigan county-level statistics, 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Democratic | 8 | 46.0% | |||||
| Solid Republican | 61 | 29.1% | |||||
| Trending Republican | 11 | 16.3% | |||||
| New Democratic | 2 | 6.8% | |||||
| Battleground Democratic | 1 | 1.9% | |||||
| Total voted Democratic | 11 | 54.6% | |||||
| Total voted Republican | 72 | 45.4% | |||||
Historical voting trends
Michigan presidential election results (1900-2020)
- 13 Democratic wins
- 17 Republican wins
- 1 other win
| Year | 1900 | 1904 | 1908 | 1912 | 1916 | 1920 | 1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1940 | 1944 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winning Party | R | R | R | P[12] | R | R | R | R | D | D | R | D | R | R | R | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | D |
This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.
U.S. Senate elections
The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Michigan.
| U.S. Senate election results in Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race | Winner | Runner up |
| 2020 | 49.9% |
48.2%
|
| 2018 | 52.3% |
45.8%
|
| 2014 | 54.6% |
41.3%
|
| 2012 | 58.6% |
38.0%
|
| 2008 | 62.7% |
33.8%
|
| Average | 55.6 | 41.4 |
Gubernatorial elections
- See also: Governor of Michigan
The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Michigan.
| Gubernatorial election results in Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race | Winner | Runner up |
| 2022 | 54.5% |
43.9%
|
| 2018 | 53.3% |
43.7%
|
| 2014 | 50.9% |
46.9%
|
| 2010 | 58.1% |
39.9%
|
| 2006 | 56.4% |
42.3%
|
| Average | 54.0 | 44.0 |
Congressional delegation
The table below displays the partisan composition of Michigan's congressional delegation as of May 2024.
| Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Michigan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | U.S. Senate | U.S. House | Total |
| Democratic | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Republican | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vacancies | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 13 | 15 |
State executive
The table below displays the officeholders in Michigan's top four state executive offices as of May 2024.
| State executive officials in Michigan, May 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Office | Officeholder |
| Governor | Gretchen Whitmer
|
| Lieutenant Governor | Garlin Gilchrist II
|
| Secretary of State | Jocelyn Benson
|
| Attorney General | Dana Nessel
|
State legislature
Michigan State Senate
| Party | As of February 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 20 | |
| Republican Party | 18 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 38 | |
Michigan House of Representatives
| Party | As of February 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 54 | |
| Republican Party | 54 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 2 | |
| Total | 110 | |
Trifecta control
The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.
Michigan Party Control: 1992-2024
Two years of Democratic trifectas • Fourteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D |
| House | D | S | S | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D |
The table below details demographic data in Michigan and compares it to the broader United States as of 2022.
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| Demographic Data for Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | United States | |
| Population | 10,077,331 | 331,449,281 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 56,609 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 75.7% | 65.9% |
| Black/African American | 13.6% | 12.5% |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.8% |
| Native American | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more | 5.4% | 8.8% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 5.5% | 18.7% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 91.8% | 89.1% |
| College graduation rate | 31.1% | 34.3% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $68,505 | $75,149 |
| Persons below poverty level | 8.8% | 8.8% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2017-2022). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Election context
Election history
2022
- See also: Michigan Supreme Court elections, 2022
General election
General election for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
Incumbent Richard Bernstein and incumbent Brian Zahra defeated Kyra Harris Bolden, Paul Hudson, and Kerry Lee Morgan in the general election for Michigan Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Richard Bernstein (Nonpartisan) | 33.9 | 2,120,661 |
| ✔ |  | Brian Zahra (Nonpartisan) | 23.9 | 1,493,317 |
| Kyra Harris Bolden (Nonpartisan) | 21.9 | 1,368,652 | |
 | Paul Hudson (Nonpartisan) | 13.3 | 834,436 | |
 | Kerry Lee Morgan (Nonpartisan) | 7.0 | 438,595 | |
| Total votes: 6,255,661 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
Incumbent Richard Bernstein and Kyra Harris Bolden advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 21, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Richard Bernstein (D) |
| ✔ | | Kyra Harris Bolden (D) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican convention
Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
Incumbent Brian Zahra and Paul Hudson advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 27, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Brian Zahra (R) |
| ✔ | | Paul Hudson (R) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
Kerry Lee Morgan advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan Supreme Court on July 10, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Kerry Lee Morgan (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
- See also: Michigan Supreme Court elections, 2020
General election
General election for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bridget Mary McCormack (Nonpartisan) | 32.3 | 2,377,410 |
| ✔ |  | Elizabeth Welch (Nonpartisan) | 20.2 | 1,490,550 |
 | Mary Kelly (Nonpartisan) | 17.0 | 1,252,692 | |
 | Brock Swartzle (Nonpartisan) | 13.7 | 1,009,320 | |
 | Susan L. Hubbard (Nonpartisan) | 8.3 | 611,019 | |
| Kerry Lee Morgan (Nonpartisan) | 4.6 | 340,396 | |
 | Katie Nepton (Nonpartisan) | 3.9 | 290,377 | |
| Total votes: 7,371,764 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
Incumbent Bridget Mary McCormack and Elizabeth Welch advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 29, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Bridget Mary McCormack (D) |
| ✔ | | Elizabeth Welch (D) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican convention
Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
Mary Kelly and Brock Swartzle advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 29, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Mary Kelly (R) |
| ✔ | | Brock Swartzle (R) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
Kerry Lee Morgan and Katie Nepton advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan Supreme Court on July 18, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Kerry Lee Morgan (L) |
| ✔ | | Katie Nepton (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Michigan Supreme Court elections, 2018
General election candidates
- Elizabeth Clement (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
- Kurtis Wilder (Incumbent) (Republican Party)
- Samuel Bagenstos (Democratic Party)
- Megan Cavanagh (Democratic Party) ✔
- Kerry Lee Morgan (Libertarian Party)
- Doug Dern (Natural Law Party)
About the Michigan Supreme Court
- See also: Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Michigan. The court is located in the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing, the state capital. There are seven justices on the court, one being the chief justice. Justices are elected to eight-year terms or appointed by the governor in the case of a vacancy. Most commonly, the court takes appeals from the Michigan Court of Appeals. It is also responsible for the administration and supervision of all lower courts in the state.[13]
Political composition
This was the political composition of the court heading into the 2024 election.
| ■ Richard Bernstein | Elected in 2014 | |
| ■ Megan Cavanagh | Elected in 2018 | |
| ■ Elizabeth Clement | Appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2017; elected in 2018 | |
| ■ Kyra Harris Bolden | Appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) in 2022 | |
| ■ David Viviano | Appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2013; elected in 2014 and 2016 | |
| ■ Elizabeth Welch | Elected in 2020 | |
| ■ Brian Zahra | Appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in 2011; elected in 2012 and 2014 |
Selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Michigan
Each of the seven justices on the Michigan Supreme Court serves terms of eight years. In the case of a vacancy, the governor appoints a temporary replacement to serve until the next general election. At the governor's request, the state bar's standing committee on judicial qualifications interviews, evaluates, and rates all candidates, submitting a confidential report to the governor. However, the governor is not required to request candidates from the committee, nor is the governor bound by the committee's evaluations.[14]
Qualifications
To be elected to the supreme court, a judge must:
- be a qualified elector;
- be licensed to practice law in the state;
- have at least five years of law practice experience;
- be under the age of 70.[14]
2024 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This was a battleground election. Other 2024 battleground elections included:
- New York's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024
- South Carolina's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 11 Republican primary)
- Washington's 4th Congressional District election, 2024
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ AP News, "Michigan GOP nominates judge for Supreme Court after man charged in election tampering drops out," August 24, 2024
- ↑ AP News, "Whitmer appoints first Black woman to Michigan’s top court," November 22, 2022
- ↑ Michigan House Republicans, "Andrew Fink," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ University of Michigan Law School, "Juvenile Justice Clinic," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Kim Thomas," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ Kyra Harris Bolden campaign website, "About," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ Patrick W. O'Grady campaign website, "About Judge Patrick William O'Grady," accessed September 27, 2024
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed December 15, 2023
- ↑ Progressive Party
- ↑ Michigan Courts, "About the Supreme Court," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed August 27, 2021
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan
State courts:
Michigan Supreme Court • Michigan Court of Appeals • Michigan Circuit Court • Michigan District Courts • Michigan Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Michigan • Michigan judicial elections • Judicial selection in Michigan
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