State Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden visits Marquette on Saturday on the campaign trail in her bid to become the first Black woman ever to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court. (Journal photo by Randy Crouch)

By RANDY CROUCH

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Michigan Supreme Court justice candidate Kyra Harris Bolden visited the Marquette area on Saturday.

The 34-year-old Bolden is currently a member of the Michigan House of Representatives where she represents the 35th District. While still young, Bolden has already distinguished herself as a legislator and litigator with work on the House Judiciary Committee and a career in civil litigation before holding public office.

She is one of five candidates running for two court seats in November.

Bolden said her experience as a lawmaker gives her a unique perspective about state law.

“Our Michigan Supreme Court is comprised of seven jurists. They should reflect the diversity of Michigan, the diversity of thought and perspective and background. I have been in the courtroom. I have practiced as a criminal defense attorney. I have worked in the courtroom as a judicial law clerk, so doing the research and helping the judges make decisions on cases and I’ve been a litigator,” Bolden said. “The thing that sets me apart for this position is that I have been a lawmaker and I understand what goes into making a law. I think that is an important perspective to have.”

Bolden and incumbent Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein are both backed by the Democratic Party for the nonpartisan seat.

Bolden predicted the Michigan Supreme Court is on the verge of dealing with some important legal issues in the near future.

“This position on the Michigan Supreme Court has become incredibly crucial because the United States Supreme Court has been kicking a lot of issues to the state supreme courts,” Bolden said. “We know things like abortion and voting rights, LGBTQ rights, environmental rights, those are things that will be heard by the Michigan Supreme Court within the next one or two years in varying capacities. So, the importance of the Michigan Supreme Court cannot be underscored enough, and who is sitting in those seats looking at those cases is also incredibly important.”

A new mother, Bolden says that she hopes to become a Michigan Supreme Court justice to do her part in making a better future.

“I think that the Michigan Supreme Court should reflect the diversity of Michigan. I think I have a unique background that lends itself well to the Michigan Supreme Court. I would be the first Black woman to serve on the court if elected. I am also a proud new mom and I want to bring that perspective as well,” Bolden said. “I’m working extremely hard because I want my 7-week-old to eventually look up at her mom and see that she can do things like sit on the highest court in Michigan. Representation is important and it’s really hard to be what you can’t see.”

The three other candidates appearing on the ballot are incumbent Justice Richard Zahra; Paul Hudson, an attorney with Miller Canfield; and Kerry Lee Morgan, an attorney with Pentiuk, Couvreur and Kobiljak.

Zahra and Hudson are backed by the Republican Party, while Morgan was nominated by the Libertarian Party of Michigan.

The top two vote-getters for the nonpartisan position will serve an eight-year term starting Jan. 1.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.