Oakland County

Kimberly Ann Thomas received the nomination from the Michigan Democratic Party to run for this year’s open seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. 

Thomas is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a trial and appellate lawyer. She is currently a law professor at the University of Michigan Law School, where she directs the Juvenile Justice Clinic. Thomas has served on the bipartisan Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, which works to improve our state’s juvenile justice system. Prior to her work at the University of Michigan Law School, Thomas received a U.S. Fulbright Scholar award and taught at the University College Cork School of Law in Cork, Ireland.

According to her campaign website, Thomas’ priorities, if elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, include a dedication to upholding the rule of law, equal access to justice for all Michiganders, and bringing forth a voice of integrity and fairness.

Thomas has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, political parties, issue advocacy groups, current and former justices and judges, and elected officials.. 

For more information about Kimberly Ann Thomas, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her website at electkimberlythomas.com. 
 

Andrew Fink received the nomination from the Michigan Republican Party to run for this year’s open seat on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Fink is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He currently serves as a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 35th District, where he is vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Fink has been a judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps, and has worked in private practice at Fink and Fink. He has been appointed to the Michigan Commission on Uniform State Laws and as a commissioner-at-large for the State Bar of Michigan.

According to his campaign website, Fink’s priorities, if elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, include an originalist interpretation of the law, upholding Constitutional rights, and ensuring that duty and honor are held in high esteem within our judiciary.

Fink has received endorsements from business groups, current and former elected officials, law enforcement officials, and community leaders.

For more information about Andrew Fink, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his website at finkformichigan.com.

Incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by Governor Whitmer in 2022, making her the first Black woman to serve on the Court. She is seeking to retain her seat for the remainder of the term that was vacated by Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack. She has been nominated by the Michigan Democratic Party.

Justice Bolden is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she worked as a criminal defense and civil litigation attorney. She also served as a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 35th District, where. she sat on the House Judiciary Committee.

According to her campaign website, if reelected to the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Bolden will remain committed to ensuring equal access to justice, applying the law without fear or favor, and treating all who come before our state’s highest court with dignity and respect.

Justice Bolden has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, local political parties, and issue advocacy groups..

For more information about Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, including a full list of her endorsements, please visit her official campaign website at boldenforjustice.com.

Judge Patrick William O’Grady was nominated by the Michigan Republican Party to challenge incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden for the partial term seat on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Judge O’Grady is a graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and currently serves on the 15th Circuit Court in Branch County. He has judicial experience presiding over both criminal and civil cases. Prior to his time on the bench, Judge O’Grady served in the U.S. Army Reserve and worked as a state trooper and assistant prosecutor.

According to his campaign website, Judge O’Grady’s priorities, if elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, include an adherence to the rule of law and a commitment to safeguarding families, individual rights, and upholding the integrity of the State of Michigan.

Judge O’Grady has received endorsements from business groups, former justices, former elected officials and candidates, and community leaders.

For more information about Judge Patrick William O’Grady, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his official campaign website at judgeogrady4supremecourt.com.

Matthew Ackerman is running for an open seat on the 2nd District Court of Appeals, which covers Genesee, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.

Matthew Ackerman is a graduate of Columbia Law School and former judicial law clerk on the United States Courts of Appeal for both the Second and Fifth Circuits. He currently practices law at Ackerman & Ackerman, PC, where he focuses on land disputes and eminent domain.
According to his campaign website, if elected to the 2nd District Court of Appeals, Ackerman will bring the following judicial philosophy: Judges should interpret the laws according to what they say, not according to what the judges wish they would say. Judges are supposed to interpret the laws; they are not supposed to make them.
Ackerman has received endorsements from current and former justices and judges, current and former elected officials, law enforcement officials, and prosecutors.
For more information about Matthew Ackerman, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at ackermanforjudge.org

Latoya Marie Willis is seeking an open seat on the Court of Appeals for the 2nd District, which covers Genesee, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.

Willis is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. She has served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Wayne County and is the lead attorney of the Mortgage and Deed Fraud Task Force.

According to her campaign website, if elected to the 2nd District Court of Appeals, Willis is committed to bringing her experience, integrity, and passion for justice to the bench to serve the community with fairness and compassion.

Willis has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, current judges, elected officials, and law enforcement officials, and prosecutors.

For more information about Latoya Marie Willis, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at willisforjustice.com.

Judge Daniel A. O’Brien is running for an open seat on the Oakland County Probate Court.

Judge O’Brien is a graduate of the University of Detroit School of Law and currently serves as judge on the Oakland County Probate Court. He was first elected in 2008 and has two years left in his current term. Prior to taking the bench, Judge O’Brien served as magistrate for the 52-2 District Court in Oakland County.

Judge O’Brien does not have a campaign website.

Traci Richards is running for an open seat on the Oakland County Probate Court. (It’s important to note that she is not challenging the incumbent judge. Daniel A. O’Brien is also running for the open seat.)

Richards is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. She currently operates her own law practice, specializing in a range of fields, including criminal defense, family law, probate and real estate. She is also a VA-appointed fiduciary for a disabled veteran who is quadriplegic and cannot communicate verbally.

According to her campaign website, Richards is passionate about protecting those least able to protect themselves and, if elected to the Oakland County Probate Court, she will not abuse the position or do anything that does not align with fairness.

Richards has received endorsements from labor unions, local political parties, issue advocacy groups, current justices, elected officials, and community leaders.

For more information about Traci Richards, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at tracirichardsforjudge.com.

Tricia Dare is running for an open seat on the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County.

Dare is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She has served as an assistant prosecuting attorney at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. She is chief assistant prosecuting attorney for the Special Victims Unit, Hate Crimes Unit, and the Victim Services Division. She is a founding member of the Oakland County Child Abuse & Neglect Council.

According to her campaign website, Dare has spent her entire career in public service and is dedicated to the Oakland County community. If elected to the 6th Circuit Court, she is prepared to do more.

Dare has received endorsements from judges, law enforcement officials and organizations, and prosecutors.

For more information about Tricia Dare, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at dareforjudge.com.

Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston is running for an open seat on the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County.

Huddleston is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She has served as Managing Director at the Detroit Justice Center, overseeing the organization’s legal services practice. Prior to this role, Huddleston worked as an assistant Wayne County prosecutor in the domestic violence division and as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid & Defender Association and Lakeshore Legal Aid.

According to her campaign website, if elected to the 6th Circuit Court, Huddleston will prioritize critical thinking; the right temperament of kindness, decency, and respect; and an administration of justice under the law.

Huddleston has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, local political parties, issue advocacy groups, current and former justices and judges, elected officials, prosecutors, and community leaders.

For more information about Nicole Sophia-Calhoun Huddleston, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at electhuddlestonforjudge.com.

Robin Dillard-Russaw is challenging the incumbent judge for a seat on the 46th District Court in Oakland County, City of Southfield.

Dillard-Russaw is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and currently works as director of the Wayne County Indigent Defense Services Department. Dillard-Russaw’s prior experience includes being magistrate judge and deputy court Administrator at the 46th District Court. She also has experience as an assistant attorney general, assistant prosecuting attorney, and criminal defense attorney.

According to her campaign website, Dillard-Russaw’s priorities, if elected to the 46th District Court, include restoring integrity, enhancing efficiency, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and encouraging community involvement.

Dillard-Russaw has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, local political parties, issue advocacy groups, current and former judges, elected officials, prosecutors, and community leaders.

For more information about Robin Dillard-Russaw, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at russaw4judge.com.

Judge Debra Nance is running for reelection to the 46th District Court in Oakland County, City of Southfield.

Judge Nance is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School and currently serves as judge on the 46th District Court. Prior to taking the bench, she worked in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Domestic Violence Unit, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Child & Family Abuse Bureau, and the Office of the General Council at Ford Motor Company. She also worked at a mid-sized law firm, practicing in the areas of civil litigation, probate litigation, juvenile and family litigation, and adoption law.

According to her campaign Facebook page, if reelected to the 46th District Court, Judge Nance will continue to serve with integrity, honesty, compassion, respect, and courtesy.

Judge Nance has received an endorsement from a labor union.

For more information about Judge Debra Nance, please visit her campaign Facebook page at Judge Debra Nance - 46th District Court.

Judge Laura E. Polizzi is running for reelection to the 52-3 District Court in Oakland County, City of Rochester Hills.

Judge Polizzi is a graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and currently serves as judge on the 52-3 District Court. She was appointed by Governor Whitmer in 2024. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Polizzi managed her own law firm specializing in family and juvenile law and district court criminal matters.

As judge of the 52-3 District Court, Judge Polizzi created the first Veterans Treatment Court in the district. According to her campaign website, she works hard every day to ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity to overcome whatever obstacles brought them to court, and will continue to do so if reelected to the 52-3 District Court.

Judge Polizzi has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, justices and judges, elected officials, and prosecutors.

For more information about Judge Laura E. Polizzi, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at judgepolizzi.com.

Ryan John Deel is challenging the incumbent judge for a seat on the 52-3 District Court in Oakland County, City of Rochester Hills.

Deel is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School and is currently the judicial staff attorney to Chief Judge Linda Hallmark of the Oakland County Probate Court. He also serves as the Rochester Hills City Council president. Deel is a former library board member and has been an author and lecturer for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Oakland County Bar Association.

According to his campaign website, if elected to the 52-3 District Court, Deel will bring a dedication and commitment to the Rochester Hills community.

Deel does not provide any endorsement announcements on his website.

For more information about Ryan John Deel, please visit his campaign website at ryandeel.com.