Six Candidates Vie for Two Michigan Supreme Court Seats in Upcoming Election

Grand Rapids Kalamazoo Battle Creek, MI, September 30, 2026 —

Six individuals are seeking election to the Michigan Supreme Court in the upcoming general election, with two open seats available. The contest features a mix of incumbent justices, party-nominated challengers, and candidates whose eligibility for office is in question.

Incumbent justices Megan Cavanagh and Noah Hood, both nominated by the Democratic Party, are running for re-election. They face competition from Republican Party nominees Casandra Morse-Bills and Michael D. Warren Jr. The outcome of this election could influence the balance of power on the state’s highest court.

Adding a unique dynamic to the race are Thomas Howe and Jody White, who are running as nominees for the US Taxpayers Party. However, a significant issue has been raised regarding their candidacies: neither Howe nor White is reported to meet the state’s constitutional requirement for holding office as a justice, which mandates that candidates must be licensed attorneys.

The current composition of the Michigan Supreme Court shows a significant majority held by the Democratic Party. Observers suggest that this election presents a potential pathway for the Republican Party to narrow that majority. The candidacies of Howe and White, due to their reported lack of legal licensure, introduce an unresolved element into the electoral landscape for these two positions.

Further details regarding the qualifications of all candidates and the specific implications of the US Taxpayers Party nominees’ eligibility status were not provided in the summary. The election is scheduled for the upcoming general election.

Story summarized from the original created by Lauren Gibbons on bridgemi.com, see more information here.

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