By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI –
Lansing District Court Judge Hugh Clarke Jr. says he is pleased the state Supreme Court has upheld his appointment and dismissed a challenge filed by state Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Schuette argued that Governor Jennifer Granholm had no right to name Clarke to a term on the bench that began on January 1. The court said Granholm had the authority because she held office until noon.
Clarke says that was the right decision.
"I'm satisfied that the Supreme Court listened to our arguments, read our briefs, and issued its opinion based on the law," he says. "That's all we could ever asked them to do."
Clarke will have to run for the seat next year. He replaced Judge Amy Krause after Granholm named her to the state Court of Appeals.