Most judges in Michigan are easily reelected — in part because Michigan’s constitution lets judges do something that no other candidates can do.
It lets judges tell each voter, right on the ballot, that they’re incumbents — “Hey, I’m already a judge, so just vote me back in.” That’s a huge advantage.
Still, for one judge in metro Detroit this fall, incumbency might not be enough. Southfield District Judge Debra Nance was first elected in 2012 with 62% of the vote. She was reelected in 2018 with more than 89%, after facing just a write-in challenge. This year, Nance is up against a strong challenger, who will be listed on ballots. The challenger is an experienced magistrate who has ruled on numerous cases for six years in the same courthouse where Nance sits. This opponent also has experience as a deputy court administrator, something Nance lacks…