LANSING – Gongwer News Service, a Lansing political newsletter, has named Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway’s victory over then-Chief Justice Cliff Taylor in 2008 the upset of the decade (Gongwer 12/29/09). It was the first time a sitting Supreme Court Justice had been defeated since 1984 and the first time ever that a sitting Chief Justice had been defeated.

 “Justice Hathaway’s victory was historic for Michigan,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “Thanks to the work of thousands of grassroots volunteers all across the state, voters sent a message to Taylor and his so-called ‘Gang of Four,’ that they will no longer stand for their pro-insurance company and anti-consumer agenda. Justice Hathaway has done a tremendous job in her first year and has brought true justice back to the bench.”

 “But our job isn’t quite finished,” continued Brewer. “Justice Robert Young stands for the same policies that Taylor did – favoring big corporations and insurance companies over victims. We will work tirelessly this year to make sure he is defeated in November.”

While on the bench, Young has ruled to protect sexual predators, protect drunk drivers, protect insurance companies, and even ruled in favor of Michigan’s drug industry immunity law that shield companies from responsibility when their products harm of kill people.