Andrew Fink isn't a name you'd typically find in a tabloid, but in Michigan legal circles, he's basically been the face of the conservative judicial push for the last couple of years. If you followed the 2024 election cycle at all, you saw his face on mailers from Ironwood to Monroe.
He lost.
That’s the short version. But the long version? Well, that’s where things get interesting. Fink, a sitting State Representative at the time, decided to forego a safe re-election to the Michigan House to take a swing at the state’s highest court. It was a high-stakes gamble that didn’t pay off at the ballot box, but it says a lot about where Michigan’s judiciary is headed.
The High-Stakes Race for the Andrew Fink Michigan Supreme Court Seat
Most people don’t realize how much power the Michigan Supreme Court actually has. They decide everything from how your property taxes are handled to the legality of emergency mandates. When Justice David Viviano announced he wasn’t running for re-election in March 2024, it opened a massive door.
Fink jumped in. He wasn't just some random lawyer; he was the Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. He had the "Friend of Agriculture" endorsement from the Michigan Farm Bureau and the backing of the Republican convention. He was running against Kimberly Ann Thomas, a University of Michigan law professor.
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It was a classic "practitioner vs. academic" matchup. Fink leaned hard into his background as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate and a private practice attorney. He argued that the court needed "originalists"—judges who look at the law exactly as it was written, not how they wish it was. Honestly, he was trying to tap into that specific brand of constitutional conservatism that plays well in rural Michigan.
Why the 2024 Results Matter Now
When the dust settled on November 5, 2024, the numbers weren't particularly close.
- Kimberly Thomas: 2,568,043 votes (61.1%)
- Andrew Fink: 1,634,510 votes (38.9%)
That’s a gap of nearly a million votes. It wasn't just a loss; it was a clear signal. Michigan voters, at least in that cycle, leaned toward the Democrat-backed candidates. Alongside Thomas, Kyra Harris Bolden also won her race, cementing a 5-2 majority for Democratic-nominated justices.
But here’s the thing: Fink didn't just disappear. As of early 2026, he remains a significant figure in the Michigan GOP legal infrastructure. After his term in the House ended on December 31, 2024, he moved into a role as General Counsel for the House Republican Caucus.
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The Marine, The Legislator, and the Lawyer
To understand why Andrew Fink was the pick for the GOP, you have to look at his resume. It’s almost "too perfect" for a conservative judicial candidate.
- Hillsdale College: He’s an alum. If you know anything about Michigan politics, Hillsdale is the intellectual epicenter for constitutional conservatism.
- U.S. Marines: He served as a Judge Advocate. That "Captain" title isn't just for show; it's a huge part of his identity and his "duty and honor" campaign messaging.
- Family Legacy: His grandfather was a judge. His father was in law enforcement. He grew up in the system.
During his time in the House, representing the 35th District (which covers Hillsdale and Branch counties), he was known for being a bit of a stickler for the rules. He wasn't a "firebrand" in the sense of screaming on the House floor, but he was incredibly persistent about the separation of powers. He famously argued that many of Governor Whitmer’s COVID-19 actions were unconstitutional. Whether you agree with him or not, he was consistent.
The Rafaeli Case: A Career Highlight
One thing that actually gave Fink a lot of "street cred" with voters was a case called Rafaeli v. Oakland County. This wasn't some abstract political argument; it was about a guy who lost his entire property over an unpaid tax bill of less than $10.
Fink represented the property owner. He took it all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court and won. The court ruled that the government couldn't just keep the "surplus" money from a tax sale. It was a landmark victory for property rights. For a guy running as a conservative, that’s basically a grand slam.
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What’s Next for Andrew Fink?
So, if you’re looking for where he is today, he’s in the thick of it in Lansing. Being the General Counsel for the House Minority means he’s the guy looking at every bill to see if it’s "legal" or if it’s something they can sue over later.
Is he done with the Supreme Court? Probably not. In Michigan, judicial races happen every two years because of how terms are staggered. Justice Megan Cavanagh and Justice Noah Hood have terms ending in 2026.
If you're watching the Michigan judicial landscape, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Fundraising: Fink had significant "dark money" support in his early House races (through groups like CEME). Watch to see if that donor network stays active for a potential 2026 or 2028 run.
- The "General Counsel" Role: This is a perfect spot to build a record of legal challenges against the current administration, which serves as a ready-made platform for a future campaign.
- Voter Sentiment: The 2024 loss was heavy. For a Republican to win a statewide judicial seat in Michigan right now, they need a significant shift in suburban turnout, specifically in Oakland and Kent counties.
Actionable Insights for Michigan Voters:
- Check the "Nonpartisan" Section: Remember that in Michigan, Supreme Court candidates are nominated by parties but appear on the nonpartisan part of the ballot. You have to scroll down to find them.
- Monitor the 2026 Filings: The deadline for the 2026 judicial cycle will be a major indicator of whether the GOP wants a "rematch" with Fink or if they are looking for a different profile, perhaps someone with more bench experience like a Circuit Court judge.
- Read the Opinions: If you want to see the impact of Fink's loss, read the 2025-2026 rulings from the Michigan Supreme Court. With a 5-2 majority, the court's direction on labor laws and environmental regulations is markedly different than it would have been under a Fink-led conservative shift.
The story of Andrew Fink and the Michigan Supreme Court isn't over—it’s just in a holding pattern while the legal chess matches in Lansing continue.