AFJ Action Applauds Appointment of Kyra Harris Bolden to Michigan Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 22, 2022 – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today her intentions to appoint Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden to a vacancy on the Michigan Supreme Court. In September, Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack notified Whitmer of her plans to retire from the bench by the end of this year.  Bolden will fill that vacancy. She challenged Justice Brian Zahra, an incumbent conservative and Federalist Society member, in the 2022 election, and was the first runner-up. 

With McCormick stepping down, Whitmer is right to appoint Bolden to the new opening. Not only did Bolden demonstrate that she has popular support for the position, but she will bring important professional and demographic diversity to the Court. She brings professional diversity with her background as a criminal defense attorney and elected legislator and demographic diversity as the first African-American woman to ever serve on the Michigan Supreme Court. 

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

“Governor Whitmer is making the perfect choice in appointing Rep. Bolden to the Michigan Supreme Court. Our state courts are more essential than ever as the U.S. Supreme Court demurs on key questions about our civil rights, our democracy, and our environment. Bolden has demonstrated an unflappable commitment to equal justice under the law and will be an exceptional public servant to the people of Michigan. We congratulate Bolden on her appointment and extend our appreciation to Whitmer for making this decision for Michigan’s Supreme Court. We look forward to helping Justice Bolden hold her position on the Court.”