GOP's mystery guest -- Chief Justice Taylor
 By Stuart Frohm, Midland Daily News
11/12/07

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford W. Taylor was the mystery speaker at today's Midland County Republican Party fundraising breakfast.

Diane Bristol, the county party's chairperson, said last week that a statewide candidate she couldn't announce was among the scheduled speakers.

Other speakers were the Rev. Keith Butler of Southfield, possible future member of the Republican National Committee; state Republican Chairman Saul Anuzis; Midlanders U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, state Sen. Tony Stamas and state Rep. John Moolenaar; and state Rep. Bill Caul of Mount Pleasant.

Caul announced that he will be a candidate for re-election. This term he had a mild stroke and was treated for prostate cancer. He represents the 99th District, which includes parts of Midland County and all of Isabella County. He is seeking his third consecutive two-year term -- the last House term the state's term limit would allow him.

Taylor said his own re-election is important to keep conservatives in the majority on the court, with the court's 4-3 split. He said he does not yet know who Democrats will nominate to run against him next year.

In Michigan, candidates for judicial seats appear on the ballot without party labels.

On Oct. 22, a statement from the Michigan Campaign Finance Network said Taylor and Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer both raised the possibility of a $20 million campaign next year when Taylor seeks a second full term on the court.

Taylor, a Flint native, was appointed to the court in August 1997 by then-governor John Engler to succeed Justice Dorothy Comstock Riley, who retired.

Taylor was elected in 1998 to fill the balance of Riley's term. Taylor was re-elected to a full eight-year term in 2000 and was elected chief justice by colleagues in January 2005.

Engler appointed him to the state Court of Appeals in 1992.

More on the Republican breakfast is planned for publication in a future edition of the Daily News.

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