By Alex Weddon, MFE Contributor | August 8, 2024
Michigan Supreme Court candidates praised for public debate
The candidates will go before voters for the first and only time tonight
Two days after Michigan’s Department of State threatened an election integrity activist, national election security experts are praising four of Michigan’s seven Supreme Court candidates for participating in the only state judicial debate of the 2024 election.
“This is the only opportunity for voters to hear from most of their state Supreme Court candidates at the same time, and it couldn't come at a more important time,” declared Cleta Mitchell, founder of Election Integrity Network, and co-founder of the Only Citizens Vote Coalition. “Voters deserve to know if these candidates …will follow the law.”
All seven candidates were invited, five Republicans and two Democrats. Four agreed to participate: Mark Boonstra, Andrew Fink, Patrick William O’Grady, and Alexandria Taylor.
“Candidates for all relevant offices should be willing to put their policies and opinions in front of the voters,” stated Kerri Toloczko, executive director of Election Integrity Network, adding, “These participants set the bar for candidates across the country.”
Constitutional lawyer Erick Kaardal, retired federal judge William Wagner, and respected Michigan journalist Kyle Melinn will moderate tonight’s debate. The evening feature a half hour meet and greet, followed by two hours of questions and answers about matters ranging from judicial philosophy and qualifications to decision-making processes. Pure Integrity Michigan Elections and Stand Up Livingston County are hosting the event.
“This forum provides a rare view of judicial candidates side by side and responding to complex questions. Viewers will have a unique opportunity to compare their ideologies and skill sets,” said Patrice Johnson, chair and founder of Pure Integrity Michigan Elections and one the debate’s two emcees. “It’s been a huge amount of work, but it should be revealing and super interesting.”
On Aug. 24, elected delegates will convene at the Republican State Convention and vote for two party nominees. The Democrats have already unofficially selected their two nominees.
Co-emcee Janine Iyer, president Stand Up Michigan – Livingston County, said, “Republican Delegates in particular need to hear from these Michigan Supreme Court candidates, so that they may make informed decisions when they vote at the August 24 State Convention. This is precisely why our organizations have partnered to put on this event--so that Delegates and General Election voters can hear these candidates for themselves in a forum that will give them a good understanding of each participating candidate.”
When asked why he would travel from Minnesota at his own expense to serve as a moderator for the event, renowned election integrity attorney Kaardal was quick to reply, “Presidential elections in the future will be determined in swing states like Michigan. When a close presidential election occurs in Michigan and ends up in Michigan state courts, it is critical that the people of Michigan have elected justices to the Michigan Supreme Court with judicial integrity to decide these and other important cases.”
The debate is slated for Thursday, Aug. 8th from 6 PM ET to 8:30 PM at FloodGate Church in Hartland, Michigan. It will also be livestreamed on the Michigan Information & Research Service (MIRS) Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/mirsnews
Attendees may register here. Location: FloodGate Church, 1535 Old US 23, Hartland, MI.
For interviews or more information, contact Alex Weddon, 734-260-9610, pen2@voxlx.com.
Alex Weddon (LX) is a member of MI Fair Elections Communications Team and author of the Close Calls on the Farm two book set. He is the former owner of a community newspaper in Michigan.
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Below is the schedule for National Working Groups August 6-8. A link to the full National Working Group Calendar for August is HERE (All meetings are noted in Eastern time.)
Tuesday, August 6
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Thursday, August 8
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