Featured photo: Johnell Allen-Bey, the Flint regional coordinator for Nation Outside, acted as the townhall moderator
Written by Tanya Terry
A Meet the Judicial Candidates Townhall was recently held inside the Genesee County Jail.
During the event, candidates campaigning for the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Appeals Court and 7th Circuit Court of Genesee County communicated their judicial priorities to the registered voters at the Genesee County Jail. The voters present at the event were pretrial detainees.
The event was also broadcasted on the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. So, it helped and is helping many community members prepare to cast their votes for the Nov. 8 election.
The candidates who spoke included Richard Bernstein, Kyra Harris Bolden, Paul Hudson, Sima G. Patel, Michael Warren, Mary Hood and Dawn Weier.
All candidates were invited to give brief introductions of themselves to the voters. Then, they were asked questions.
Michigan Supreme Court candidates
Richard Bernstein became the first blind justice elected by voters statewide to the Michigan Supreme Court in November 2014. He talked about qualities that make a good judge. He stated life experience builds empathy for the struggles, challenges and hardships of those who come before them. He also said people need to realize the important role of the state Supreme Court.
Kyra Harris Bolden is a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 35th District. She is also a current candidate for the Michigan State Supreme Court. She stated as a member of Judiciary Committee, they’ve gotten five bills passed into law. She also said the incident portrayed in the documentary “Accidental Drowning” informs her sense of justice.
Candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court were asked what they feel is their number one judicial duty and how citizens in our county can have a speedy trial. They were also asked why they are the right choice for the Michigan Supreme Court.
Court of Appeals candidates
Sima Patel is a judge of the Michigan 2nd District Court of Appeals. She was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She stated she has 17 years of experience in the field of appeals. She is the first Indian woman to ever sit on the Michigan Court of Appeals. She said she is one of a few judges who has Civil Rights experience.
Judge Michael Warren also spoke as a candidate for the Court of Appeals. He recited words from the Constitution of the United States, saying the words remain revolutionary today. Warren also created the Reset Program, which is intended to help probationers find meaning in life and prepare for the future.
Candidates for the Court of Appeals were asked how they will determine which cases have merit and about how they viewed the purpose and importance of the Court of Appeals.
Circuit Court judge candidates
Mary Hood is a candidate for Genesee County Circuit Court Judge. She celebrated 20 years as an attorney referee for the 7th Judicial Circuit Court. She said she wasn’t always a lawyer. Born and raised in Flint, she was once an unemployed welfare mother in college. She stated she has a keen sense of fairness and justice.
Dawn Weier is licensed to practice in all Michigan courts. She is also a candidate for the 7th Judicial Circuit Court seat being vacated by the retiring Judge Duncan Beagle. She has worked as a criminal defense lawyer for those who could not afford lawyers, along with working in other areas of law for over 20 years.
Candidates for Circuit Court judge were asked what they felt they should tackle on day one. Both candidates said they would like to tackle the backlog. The Circuit Court judge candidates were also asked how Family Court judges can be more involved in community resources for families.
Community and statewide support
Daniel Jones, the chairperson for the Voting Access for All Coalition, spoke about the coalition’s mission. Its mission is to ensure that all persons in pretrial situations, individuals about to be released from prison and those formerly incarcerated have the opportunity and knowledge they need to exercise their right to vote in every election. The organization also advocates for the voting rights of the families and community members of these individuals.
Percy Glover pointed out many partners made the townhall possible, including the Ruth Mott Foundation. Glover is an active member of the Voter Access for All Coalition.
Many participants thanked Sheriff Christopher Swanson.
Johnell Allen-Bey, the Flint regional coordinator for Nation Outside, acted as the townhall moderator.
To watch the entire townhall, click below: https://www.facebook.com/geneseecountysheriffsoffice/videos/878458989827441/
