01/05/2007

Taylor re-elected as chief justice

Weaver dissents

LANSING (AP) — Chief Justice Clifford Taylor was re-elected by his peers Thursday to lead the Michigan Supreme Court for another two years.

In a written statement, Taylor said he appreciated the "opportunity to continue serving the Michigan judicial branch and the people of Michigan.”

Taylor, a member of the court's conservative Republican majority, said he was selected by a 4-3 vote of the justices. The dissenting justices were Elizabeth Weaver, a Glen Arbor Republican who has differed with the majority at times in recent years, and Democrats Marilyn Kelly and Michael Cavanagh.

Taylor was first picked as chief justice in January 2005. He replaced Justice Maura Corrigan, who remains a member of the state's highest court.

Taylor considers himself a "textualist” who strictly interprets the law's wording when making decisions.

Taylor said the state's high court is "one of the great courts of the United States,” a tradition he hopes to continue.

The court has been criticized by some who say its majority is too friendly to big business, sometimes at the cost of individual plaintiffs. Geoffrey Fieger, a Southfield attorney and former Democratic gubernatorial candidate, has been among the court's harshest critics.

Five of the court's seven members were nominated by Republicans. The other two were nominated by the Democratic Party.

Although nominated by Republicans, Weaver has disagreed with some of her GOP colleagues on the bench in recent years.

Taylor said Thursday that Weaver nominated Kelly to be chief justice. Kelly declined the nomination.

"Recognizing that sincere differences of opinion and philosophy can and should exist on an appellate bench, I appreciate both the continued support of those who voted for my re-election, and the restraint of those who did not,” Taylor said.

Weaver confirmed the 4-3 vote but would not immediately discuss other details, saying she would explain what happened in a statement she expects to file with the court within the next few days.

Taylor, 64, is a Flint native who now lives in Laingsburg.