Anti-Abortion Incumbent Justice on Michigan Supreme Court Once Paid For Abortion

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 4, 2022 – It was reported this week that Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra paid for the abortion of his ex-wife Alyssa Jones while they were dating in 1983. Jones came forward to share this news as Zahra seeks reelection to the Court given his opposition to Proposal 3, a ballot initiative to guarantee abortion access under Michigan law. Zahra was one of two justices who dissented in a challenge to Proposal 3, arguing it should not be placed on the ballot merely because of word-spacing typos. 

Alliance for Justice Action Campaign Legal Director for State Courts Jake Faleschini issued the following statement: 

“In the wake of Dobbs, the American people are waking up to the reality of how judges can put their politics above fidelity to the law. The Supreme Court of Michigan is no different, but Michigan voters have a clear choice. As they go to the polls to protect access to abortion, not only can they vote for Proposal 3, but they can also vote against the hypocrisy of Justice Brian Zahra. Opposition to abortion is often motivated by power, and Zahra, a Federalist Society member, is an activist judge who wants rights for himself but then will blatantly misread the law to take it away from others. 

“That’s why AFJ Action is proud to support Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden to unseat Zahra. We look forward to seeing her become the first African American woman to sit on the Michigan Supreme Court, where she will follow the law and provide justice for all.” 

Click here to watch AFJ Action’s endorsement ad for Richard Bernstein and Kyra Harris Bolden. 

Paid for by AFJ Action and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.