Leading up to the November 5 general election, we are highlighting races generally considered swing seats.
Commentary:
Two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court are up for election this year. While the races are technically nonpartisan, six of the seven Justices currently serving were nominated by the Democratic Party. This includes both of the incumbents running for reelection. Justice Cavanagh has served on the Court since winning election in 2018, and Justice Hood was appointed in 2025 and is running for a full eight-year term this November.
The Republican Party nominated Judge Morse-Bills and Judge Warren, who are both Circuit Court Judges.
The U.S. Taxpayers Party endorsed Thomas Howe and Jody White. However, neither of the candidates has a law license. Under the Michigan Constitution, a Justice must have both a license and at least five years of practicing law to take a seat on the Court. Neither of these candidates meets those requirements and would be ineligible to take office should they win.
Candidates:
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- Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh – Michigan Supreme Court Justice, practiced appellate law, and worked as a consultant evaluating environmental risk and property development.
- Justice Noah Hood – Michigan Supreme Court Justice, practiced commercial litigation, worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Toledo, was appointed to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Detroit, presided over the Veterans Treatment Court, and was appointed in 2022 to the Michigan Court of Appeals.
- Thomas Howe
- Judge Casandra Morse-Bills – 23rd Judicial Circuit Court Judge, former Oscoda County Prosecuting Attorney, and former private practice attorney.
- Judge Michael Warren – Oakland County Circuit Court Judge, business law professor at Wayne State University and former teacher of constitutional law at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, and served on the Michigan State Board of Education.
- Jody White
