Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice stepping down

Elizabeth Clement didn't give a reason for an upcoming resignation, but the result is the same.

Democrats in Michigan now have a chance to push the court's majority of Democratic-backed judges to a margin of 6-1.

The chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court announced on February 19 that she would be stepping down from the court before the end of April 2025.

"Leading our state’s highest court has been an opportunity to continue a proud record of independence, fairness, and commitment to the rule of law," Clement's resignation statement said.

"I am thankful to my colleagues for their support and friendship, as well as for their willingness to seek common ground in serving the people of Michigan."

Michigan's Supreme Court judges technically don't have a party affiliation, but the funds required to get their names into consideration have to come from somewhere.

The court currently has a 5-2 majority of justices who are backed by Democrats after they picked up a seat in the November election.

If Democrats are able to snatch Clement's seat as well, that would be quite the swing from just one year ago.

At that point, Republican-backed judges were trailing 3-4, and now that margin has a chance to be pushed to 1-6.

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has the opportunity to fill the vacancy left by Clement to create the 6-1 Democratic majority.

The person who is appointed to fill the vacancy would have to run for retention in 2026 for a full eight-year time.

Clement was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court in 2017 by Republican Governor Rick Snyder.

In 2018, she won her election and was scheduled to serve a full eight-year term until 2026.

Clement was chosen to serve as the court's Chief Justice in November 2022.

"Going forward, my plan is to continue working to find ways to bring people together, to put data to work, and to make a difference in the lives of people so that interactions with our justice system result in safer communities and stronger families," Clement said in a statement.