FFRF AF endorses Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Thomas for Mich. Supreme Court
The FFRF Action Fund is pleased to endorse Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Thomas in their bids for the Michigan Supreme Court.
Bolden is an incumbent justice on the court, having been appointed by Gov. Whitmer in 2022. Prior to becoming a judge, she worked as a criminal defense and civil litigation attorney and served in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Thomas is a law professor at the University of Michigan Law School. She is endorsed by multiple current and former judges and organizations, including Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and Equality Michigan.
Although both races are technically nonpartisan, Bolden and Thomas were nominated at the Democratic convention, while their opponents, Patrick O’Grady and Andrew Fink, were nominated at the Republican convention.
Fink graduated from Hillsdale College and has served in leadership roles as a Republican in the Michigan House of Representatives. His campaign ads promote his opposition to both COVID-19 emergency protections and gun regulations and show him bragging about not needing to read court cases because he “has some pocket constitutions in [his] office.” He also sponsored the Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act and has supported anti-abortion measures for years.
O’Grady was a police officer and prosecutor prior to becoming a judge. He listed Antonin Scalia as an admired judicial figure. At a candidate forum, he reportedly pledged to focus on a vision for Michigan’s courts that relies on “Almighty God” and the “Judeo-Christian principles of our founding fathers.” He went on to say that judges must have a “Christian worldview” to be consistent with the state constitution, as otherwise, there is “acrimony in your soul.” He is endorsed by Donald Trump.
Experts have warned that Fink and O’Grady’s commitment to originalism would lead to a narrow reading of the state constitution and a limitation of Michigander civil rights. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe, similar judges have severely limited reproductive rights in other states.
Bolden and Thomas are the clear choices for strong separation of church and state and protecting reproductive rights.
Please learn more about Bolden and Thomas by visiting their campaign website.