Washington, D.C. — Today, Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), announced his endorsement of Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas because they would be fair minded and independent voices on the Michigan State Supreme Court.

These endorsements are part of the NDRC’s Democracy Defenders program, a campaign supporting candidates running for state-level offices critical to safeguarding and strengthening democracy.

Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chairman of the NDRC, released the following statement endorsing Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas for the Michigan Supreme Court: 

“A fair-minded State Supreme Court is vital to defending democracy and preserving fundamental rights in Michigan, and electing Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas is vital for preserving a fair-minded State Supreme Court in Michigan. 

“Justice Bolden not only made history as the first Black woman to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court, she has repeatedly demonstrated an unwavering commitment to equal treatment under the law for all Michiganders. 

“Kimberly Ann Thomas dedicated her career to ensuring citizens have equal access to justice, including representing low-income Michiganders in court, and pursuing commonsense bipartisan policies to strengthen the state’s justice system.  

“Bolden and Thomas stand in stark contrast to their extreme MAGA opponents, including candidates who use their platforms to spread misinformation and undermine the integrity of our elections. This election is not a traditional contest, it is a choice for Michigan’s voters between tested, proven legal professionals who are pro-democracy, pro-voting rights, and pro-freedom, and politicians who are opposed to all three.”

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

The Republican candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court this year are extreme MAGA Republicans. Here is a sample of what we are seeing. Andrew Fink, who has perpetuated the Big Lie, attended a “Stop the Steal” rally at the Michigan state capitol on January 6, 2021. Alexandria Taylor filed a failed lawsuit on behalf of extreme MAGA Republican Kristina Karamo in 2022 that attempted to invalidate absentee ballots from Detroit. Matt Deperno not only played a central role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, he is also facing four felony criminal charges for tampering with voting equipment. Mark Boonstra, who has been endorsed by President Trump, has indicated that he opposes the separation of church and state.

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