(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/07/2024) Matt DePerno, the Republicans’ 2022 Attorney General nominee, confirmed he’s interested in the GOP’s Michigan Supreme Court nomination in the four-year race against incumbent Justice Kyra Bolden.
DePerno said he believes Michigan needs good constitutional jurists and people who understand the constitution, which he said he has done his entire legal career.
“I’ve had a lot of people call and ask me to do it,” DePerno said. “The delegates need a good alternative. I’m considering it.”
The former Michigan Republican Party (MRP) chair candidate was charged last year along with former Rep. Daire Rendon and attorney Stefanie Lambert with deceiving clerks to get access to voting tabulators after the 2020 election. It’s alleged they shared data with computer experts in an attempt to find widespread fraud in the election results.
DePerno said he’s not running for the seat as a way to get out of the criminal charges. Rather, he said, running “puts a bigger target on my back.”
"I don’t think it makes my argument any easier nor does it make my case easier. I think it will bring more attention to me, but, look, I did nothing wrong," he said. “The prosecutors have admitted that I’ve done nothing wrong.”
DePerno has until 5 p.m. Monday to file with the Michigan Republican Party, which will make its nominations at its summer convention.
Two candidates have already announced a run for the four-year term -- Branch County Judge Patrick William O’Grady and former gubernatorial candidate Alexandria Taylor.
With Justice David Viviano not seeking another term on the court. Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Osseo) and Appellate Court Judge Mark Boonstra are running on the Republican side. Democrat Kimberly Thomas is the sole Democratic candidate at this point.