GOP retains Mich Sup Ct majority

Associated Press

By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press

Updated: Nov 7, 2012 2:13 PM

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republicans have maintained their majority on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Voters elected GOP nominees and sitting justices Brian Zahra and Stephen Markman in races that were too close to call until Wednesday. Democrat Bridget McCormack won one of three seats on the ballot, but Republicans still will hold a 4-3 advantage on the state's highest court.

Justice Marilyn Kelly, a 74-year-old Democrat, couldn't run again because of age restrictions. She's been on the court since 1997.

Court elections have turned into multimillion-dollar races with insurers, health care providers and other business groups supporting conservatives, while unions and trial lawyers back liberal candidates.

But voters didn't see political affiliations on the ballot. Supreme Court elections are considered nonpartisan, though the candidates are nominated by political parties.

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