Litigation

MI, MN Candidates Prefer Appointing Judges

By Peter Hardin

In two Midwestern states, candidates running for election have endorsed appointment, rather than the election, of judges.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Alton Davis said in an interview with the Battle Creek Enquirer that he favors appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, rather having candidates secure a nomination from a political party, then run as a non-partisan. He also alluded to the large campaign donations on which judicial candidates have to rely.

Michigan judges are selected in nonpartisan elections, but supreme court candidates may be nominated at political party conventions or by nominating petition, according to the American Judicature Society. Justice Davis, appointed to the high court last summer, is seeking an eight-year term.

In Minnesota, Tom Horner, Independence Party candidate for governor, said he wants to make judicial selection less political, according to a Minneapolis Star-Tribune article. Horner backs a merit-selection plan advocated by former Republican governor Al Quie (see Gavel Grab).

Full post as published by The Gavel on October 22, 2010 (boomark / email).