The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the state with seven justices. This Nov. 3, Michiganders will vote for two open spots on the bench.
Even though the election is officially nonpartisan, the candidates were nominated by political parties at state conventions earlier this year. On Michigan ballots, these candidates are not listed with any party affiliation next to their names.
The League of Women Voters of Michigan hosted a virtual forum for the Michigan Supreme Court candidates on Sep. 22, where candidates were asked questions that varied from why they're running to their judicial philosophy.
Democratic Party endorsed candidates
Megan Cavanagh
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh is running for re-election. Before joining the Supreme Court in 2019, she spent 15 years as an appellate attorney.
She said she built her career as an attorney and judge, on the belief that the justice system should be fair, accessible and grounded in the real lives of the people it serves.
"The law shouldn't be a puzzle for insiders, it's a promise made to every citizen," Cavanagh said at the forum about her judicial philosophy. "A promise that the rules and the law can be read, understood, relied upon."
Noah Hood
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Noah Hood is the other candidate seeking re-election. He's a lifelong Detroiter and is a graduate of Harvard Law School.
Hood said he's seeking another term because he wants opinions from our court to remain rooted in facts.
"When I talk about trial experience, I say I've tried a case, it's because I've tried as a lawyer," he said at the forum. "I was a federal prosecutor, I'm likely the only person you will meet who's tried a criminal HIPPA case before a jury, I've tried perfect and imperfect structuring every kind of federal case there is, except for complex drug conspiracies."
Republican Party endorsed candidates
Casandra Morse-Bills
Born and raised in Oscoda County, Casandra Morse-Bills currently serves as the presiding judge in the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court, spanning Alcona, Arenac, Iosco and Oscoda counties. She was elected to the position in 2018 and was re-elected in 2024.
Her candidate website states, she is a lifelong Michigander dedicated to upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and the principles of fairness and accountability in the courtroom.
"Judges are here to follow the law and to uphold the Constitution, that is what I have always done as an attorney and as a sitting judge and that is what I will continue to do as I serve as your next Supreme Court Justice," she said, in the forum, during her opening statement.
Michael Warren
Michael Warren has served on the Oakland County Circuit Court since 2002, and serves as a business law professor at Wayne State University.
"I bring a depth of experience that is really needed in our Supreme Court, we also have a six to one Democrat nominated majority and that's very unbalanced," he said in his opening statement during the forum. "We need to bring back balance to the court."
During the forum, Warren said he was nominated by both the Republican and the Libertarian parties. He said sections of the Declaration of Independence influenced him to run.
U.S. Taxpayers Party endorsed candidates
Thomas Howe
A retired engineer, Thomas Howe said he's running to sit on the Supreme Court because he wants to rebuild discipline outside of bar associations.
"I will apply the law, separate the courts and rebuild discipline outside the bar associations and put an AI audit program in the courtroom," Howe said in his opening statement.
The Michigan Constitution states a justice must hold a law license and needs to have practiced law for at least five years. However, a spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State's office told WXYZ Detroit, nothing prevents Howe from appearing on the ballot but he would not be able to hold the office, if elected.
WCMU was unable to find a candidate website for Howe.
Jody White
Jody White is a real estate broker, and in her opening statement during the forum she said her faith teaches her that every person deserves to be heard.
"I would listen to both sides, examine the record and explain my decision in language people can understand," she said, in the forum, about her judicial philosophy. "My guiding principles are faith, fairness, facts and accountability."
Like Howe, White would not be able to hold this position as she currently does not hold a law degree, a requirement to assume office if elected.
WCMU was unable to find a candidate website for White.
