MHA RACE OF THE WEEK
The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races for the 2024 General Election. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they need to make informed decisions on Election Day, including candidates’ views and background.
There will be two races for Michigan Supreme Court on the 2024 General Election ballot: One partial and one full-term seat. This Race of the Week highlights full-term candidates only. Once elected, this individual will take office at the start of the new term and serve for a full eight years.
CANDIDATES FOR MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT (FULL-TERM)
Kimberly Ann Thomas is a law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and co-founder of the university’s Juvenile Justice Clinic. Thomas also served on the bipartisan Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, which took a data-driven approach to understanding and making recommendations for improvement of our state’s juvenile system.
Thomas previously taught at the University College Cork School of Law in Cork, Ireland and was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar award recipient. She has been recognized for her service by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and has served as an expert for the American Bar Association (ABA) Rule of Law Initiative. Thomas received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and her law degree from Harvard Law School. For more information, visit www.electkimberlythomas.com.
Andrew Fink (District 35) was elected to the state legislature in 2020 and currently serves as Republican vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Last term, Fink served as vice chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police and also as a member of the House Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Insurance and Financial Services and General Government Appropriations subcommittees, as well as the Health Policy Committee.
As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Fink has taken up legislation related to trial court funding, estate planning, probate court rules, appeals court judge compensation, treatment courts, and many other issues. Fink graduated from Hillsdale College in 2006 with a B.A. in Politics and later earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law school in 2010. Prior to this, Fink was a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps. To learn more, visit www.finkformichigan.com.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Michigan Supreme Court is the cornerstone of Michigan’s legal system and responsible for the general administrative supervision of all courts in the state. Those elected must set important legal precedents, ensure that laws and policies align with constitutional principles and maintain the checks and balances of the judicial system. Supreme Court officials play a critical role in healthcare policy and often have the final say when it comes to things like healthcare provider liability, public health policy, Medicaid expansion and insurance regulation. The decisions made by these elected officials have a direct impact on access to care for Michigan patients and communities.
For more information or to request 2024 Election materials, visit the MHA Election webpage or contact the MHA.