LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — State Sen. Jim Runestad (R-23) is requesting a overview of Michigan Supreme Courtroom Justice Kyra Harris Bolden’s acceptance of a giant marketing campaign donation.
Runestad despatched a letter to Michigan Supreme Courtroom Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement on Tuesday, expressing his concern over Bolden’s acceptance of a giant marketing campaign donation of $82,500. This donation got here from a PAC directed by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson whereas she had a case pending within the Michigan Supreme Courtroom.
Runestad is requesting that Clement decide whether or not or not Bolden violated the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct by accepting the donation to her reelection marketing campaign.
Just some months after accepting the donation, Bolden would rule in Benson’s favor throughout O’Halloran v. Benson. Bolden was the tie-breaking vote in favor of Benson and authored the bulk opinion of the courtroom.
“This is a simple request — the timeline here isn’t adding up,” stated Runestad. “No Supreme Court Justice should put themselves in a position to appear to have acted with impropriety. Justice Bolden should have either not accepted the donation or should have recused herself from the case.”
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Within the letter, Runestad particularly highlights Canon 2 of the Code of Judicial, which states, “A judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities.”
