In most states, the list of top fundraisers tends to be topped off with the state’s top statewide offices and maybe a member of the state legislature; however, in Michigan, two state Supreme Court justices take the second and third spots, right behind Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Judicial races can often be forgotten since they’re not partisan elections, but they also tend to be some of the most crucial races on the state and local levels. While the general election for Michigan’s Supreme Court is nonpartisan, political parties in the state can nominate candidates for the elections. After the 2020 election, the partisan balance on the court flipped to 4-3, with Democrats controlling the court for 2021.

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack takes the number three spot on the list of 2020 candidates in the state, raising $1,308,584. She has been on the court since 2013 and became Chief Justice in 2019.

At the top of the list of McCormack’s donors sits the Democratic State Central Committee, also known as the PAC for the Michigan Democratic Party, with $100,000 in contributions. Next in line behind the state’s Democratic Party is $71,500.00 from the Service Employees International Union, or the SEIU, a union devoted to “about 2 million diverse members in healthcare, the public sector and property services who believe in and fight for our Vision for a Just Society: where all workers are valued and all people respected.”

Coming in behind a few other union PACs in the number 6 spot on McCormack’s list of 2020 donors is the Building Bridges PAC with $30,000.00 in contributions. The Detroit News tied this PAC to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July of 2020 after the PAC gave over $100,000 in contributions to the “Michigan House Democratic Fund — the main fundraising committee of House Democrats — and Democratic candidates in key House districts.”

Lastly, coming in at the number 10 spot behind a handful of other union PACs is $12,500.00 from Planned Parenthood Advocates Michigan.

To see who gave to other candidates in the state of Michigan — including Justice Elizabeth Welch in the number two spot — visit our Candidates page.

Transparency USA continues our spotlight series post-election, featuring prominent donors, candidates, and PACs who are notable in state-level campaign finance. Subscribe to be informed when campaign finance data for the 2022 election cycle (January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022) is added.