Four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the Michigan Supreme Court gathered Thursday night to explain their judicial philosophies and sound off on what they consider “overreach” from election officials at FloodGate Church near Hartland, Michigan.
According to a press release, Pure Integrity Michigan Elections and Stand Up Livingston County hosted the debate, which showed how the candidates compare on election integrity and the rule of law.
State Supreme Court elections in Michigan are considered nonpartisan, but candidates do seek a state party’s nomination to get on the November ballot, according to Bridge Michigan.
Alexandria Taylor, state Rep. Andrew Fink, Appeals Judge Mark Boonstra, and Circuit Judge Patrick William O’Grady — all running for the Republican nomination — attended the debate.
Patrice Johnson, chair of Pure Integrity Michigan Elections, said in a press release she thinks the debate was an unusual event for judicial races.
“People don’t usually have a chance to see judicial candidates side by side in order to compare their ideologies and skill sets,” Johnson said. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”
Executive Orders in Elections
Moderators asked candidates for their thoughts on programs like President Joe Biden’s “Bidenbucks” executive order, which directed federal agencies to boost voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts without Congress’ approval. As The Federalist previously reported, the program has drawn criticism for targeting left-wing voting blocs and inviting third-party meddling in election administration, much like the “Zuckbucks” operation in 2020.
O’Grady appeared to cite a recent Republican National Committee lawsuit challenging
