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 partial term candidates only. Once elected, this individual will take office in January 2025 and fill the remainder of a term that is already underway. From there, the elected full-term candidate will take office at the start of the new term and serve for a full eight years.
CANDIDATES FOR MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT (PARTIAL TERM)
Justice Kyra Harris Bolden (D-Wayne) is an incumbent candidate serving her second year on the Michigan Supreme Court since being appointed in January 2023. A graduate of Southfield Public Schools, Justice Bolden received her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and went on to attend the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. After receiving her Juris Doctorate, Justice Bolden became a criminal defense attorney and later a civil litigation attorney. She then served in the Michigan House of Representatives for two terms where she sat on the Judiciary Committee.
In her time, Justice Bolden has successfully passed pieces of critical bipartisan legislation into law, including the “Medically Frail” Prison Reform package, the revision of the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act and the “Address Confidentiality for Survivors of Domestic Violence” package. For more information, visit www.boldenforjustice.com.
Patrick W. O’Grady (R-Macomb) previously served as the chief judge for the 15th Circuit Court and the Probate Court in Branch County. Over his 15-year tenure, O’Grady navigated diverse legal landscapes, from overseeing high-stakes criminal jury trials involving offenses such as murder, robbery, kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, domestic violence, and child abuse, to adjudicating matters in civil law encompassing labor disputes, contractual intricacies, property rights, family law issues, auto negligence and medical malpractice.
Prior to his time as a circuit judge, O’Grady served in the Army Reserve, worked as a Michigan State Trooper and later as an assistant prosecuting attorney. He holds a law degree from Wayne State University. To learn more, visit www.judgeogrady4supremecourt.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.