** How Dark Money is Permeating Michigan’s Supreme Court Race ([link removed])
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LANSING (Oct. 29, 2020) — With the balance of the Michigan Supreme Court at stake this election, an array of outside groups are pouring millions into getting nominees' names in front of voters.

Two of the seven seats on the Michigan Supreme Court are up for election — the seat currently held by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack and Justice Stephen Markman’s seat, which he will vacate at the end of the term under the state’s mandatory retirement requirements for justices.[link removed]

Although Michigan Supreme Court seats are nonpartisan on the ballot, candidates are nominated at party conventions. If Democratic nominees win both seats, they would have a majority on the court for the first time since 2010. Republican nominees currently hold a 4-3 majority.

Outside groups supporting both the Democratic and Republican nominees are significantly outspending the campaigns they’re backing, continuing a longstanding trend in state Supreme Court races around the country.

And with less than a week to go before Election Day, groups supporting Democratic-nominated candidates have outpaced Republican-leaning groups in spending on television advertisements and political mail, which can be crucial in raising name recognition for nonpartisan candidates.

McCormack and fellow Democratic nominee Elizabeth Welch have benefitted from more than $4 million in outside spending, while Republican nominees Brock Swartzle and Mary Kelly have received about $1.3 million combined, according to campaign finance data filed with the Michigan Secretary of State.
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Friend,

In the final days leading up to Election Day, Michigan has been inundated with an unprecedented amount of spending. Help us track that that money by sending your political mail to [email protected] and please consider making a donation to our organization ([link removed]) . MCFN relies on grassroots donors like you to make our work possible and your support now is more vital than ever.

Simon D. Schuster
Executive Director

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To follow money in Michigan politics even more closely, check out our new Twitter account, @MCFNbot ([link removed]) . It posts automatic updates on Michigan-specific campaign finance information in real time, including when new PACs are registered with the state, state and congressional candidates file finance reports and more features to come soon.

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