6 heated state Supreme Court elections to keep an eye on
When voters head to the polls in November, they will likely focus on the U.S. presidential race. However, several important down-ballot races are also to watch out for, such as state Supreme Court seats.
Those who serve on the state's highest court have a significant impact on legislation and law, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, effectively handing over abortion matters to the states.
Earlier this year, Americans watched as Alabama Supreme Court justices decided in the controversial ruling that frozen embryos are children. This November, 33 states are electing justices to these offices, and they typically have seven justices.
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The following states were named marquee Supreme Court races by Ballotpedia.
Arizona
There are two seats appearing on the Arizona ballot for the state Supreme Court, both of which are held by current justices seeking re-election. Clint Bolick and Katheryn Hackett King are not running against opponents instead, they are at the mercy of Arizona voters to approve their continuing service in a retention election. All justices serving on the Arizona Supreme Court were appointed by Arizona Republican governors.
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Kentucky
This nonpartisan race will be for one open seat in the Kentucky Supreme Court. Pamela R. Goodwine is running against Erin Izzo. All sitting justices were elected by Kentuckians except Michelle Keller, who was appointed by the Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.
Michigan
Two Supreme Court justice seats will be up for election this November in a Nonpartisan race. Justices Kyra Harris Bolden, the first Black woman to serve in the role, is running to maintain her seat, and Mark Boonstra (who is endorsed by Donald Trump), Andrew Fink (R), and Patrick William O'Grady (R) are running for another open seat. Three justices were appointed by previous Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, one appointed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and the other three were elected. Democrats in the Michigan Supreme Court currently hold a 4-3 majority.
Montana
Two seats are up for election in Montana's nonpartisan state Supreme Court race. Jerry Lynch will run against Cory Swanson, and Katherine Bidegaray is set to run against Dan Wilson. The seven-justice team consists of two Democratic governor appointments, one Republican governor appointment, and four justices who clinched their seats in a nonpartisan election.
North Carolina
The Supreme Court is currently Republican-controlled with a 5-2 ratio, with one seat up for grabs. Democrat Allison Riggs is running against Republican Jefferson Griffin. Riggs has been serving on the Supreme Court since September 2023, when Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper appointed her. If Griffin wins, the court will have a staggering 6-1 Republican slant.
Ohio
Three seats are up for grabs in the Ohio Supreme Court. Democrat Michael Donnelly is running against Republican Megan Shanahan; Lisa Forbes is running against Dan Hawkins; and Democrat Melody Stewart, the first Black woman elected as a justice to the Ohio Supreme Court, is running against Republican Joseph Deters. There is currently a 4-3 Republican advantage in the court.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: State Supreme Court seat races in November elections
