State Senator Runestad: Did $82K Donation Influence Michigan Court’s Major Ruling?

Michigan senator questions the propriety of Supreme Court Justice Bolden’s acceptance of PAC funds tied to Secretary of State Benson.

LANSING—State Senator Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, is calling for a formal conduct review of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, raising concerns over her acceptance of an $82,500 campaign donation from a PAC controlled by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The donation came before Justice Bolden ruled in Benson’s favor in a pivotal case before the state’s highest court.

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, Runestad on Tuesday requested an investigation to determine if Justice Bolden violated the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct. The case in question, O’Halloran v. Benson, was decided by a narrow 4-3 majority, with Bolden casting the tie-breaking vote and penning the court’s majority opinion.

Campaign Donation Sparks Questions Over Judicial Integrity

“This is a simple request — the timeline here isn’t adding up,” said 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 recused herself from the case.”

Runestad’s letter draws specific attention to Canon 2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which emphasizes the importance of avoiding not only impropriety but also the appearance of impropriety in all judicial actions. He argues that Bolden’s acceptance of campaign contributions from a PAC associated with a key figure in the case presents a troubling conflict of interest.

The PAC donation was made as part of Bolden’s reelection campaign efforts earlier this year, and the subsequent ruling in O’Halloran v. Benson has fueled concerns over the impartiality of the court’s decision.

Chief Justice Clement’s Response Awaited

The letter places pressure on Chief Justice Clement to determine whether Bolden’s actions breached ethical standards. The Michigan Supreme Court has not yet issued a response to Runestad’s request.

The controversy comes at a time when scrutiny over judicial impartiality is at an all-time high, with critics arguing that political influence could erode public trust in the courts. Whether Clement will initiate a formal investigation or whether Bolden will offer any comment remains to be seen.

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