2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

2026 Michigan Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Andrea Banfield

Pavel Tantchev

Isaac Brickman

Christopher Candela

Kristina Lyke is from Pinckney, Michigan. She has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University. She lives in Fowlerville with her husband, Attorney Dan Wholihan.

Lyke collecting signatures for judicial primary run

Meet the candidates hoping to replace Judge Suzanne Geddis

Kristina is an attorney with 20 years of experience. She practices primarily criminal and family law. 

Kristina has been practicing law for 20 years. She previously ran for the 8th District Congressional seat in 2020 and for the 50th state House District seat in 2024, but did not win.

Has 20 years of experience practicing law.

Aims to improve court efficiency by prioritizing effective scheduling and reducing costs for individuals involved in legal proceedings.

Seeks to ensure decisions are made without politics, bias, and prejudice.

As of June 25, 2026, Kristina S. Lyke’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports non-profits in helping veterans find employment in the community.

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Kristina S. Lyke

Mark Gatesman

Mary Ellen Hayes has a juris doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, a master's degree in human services counseling from Liberty University, and a second master's degree in forensic psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has been practicing law since 2006.

Meet the candidates hoping to replace Judge Suzanne Geddis - AOL

MaryEllen Hayes Profile - Brighton, MI Criminal Defense Lawyer

Mary Ellen Hayes (Michigan 44th Circuit Court, Michigan, candidate ...

Mary Ellen is an attorney. She has been practicing law since 2006. She previously ran her own criminal defense firm for 14 years. She currently works at the Livingston County Public Defender's Office, where she has been since 2025. 

Mary Ellen is a candidate for the Michigan 44th Circuit Court in the 2026 election.

As an attorney, Hayes primarily handles high-severity felony and life offense cases.

For Candidate Mary Ellen Hayes on Issue judicial-administration: Believes that addressing mental illness in court can alleviate docket congestion and supports the use of mental health treatment court to provide intensive support while ensuring accountability and public safety.

As of June 25, 2026, Mary Ellen Hayes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mary Ellen Hayes

- A circuit court judge is an elected judicial official who serves in Michigan’s circuit court system, the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction.
- Circuit courts handle major legal matters, including felony criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, family law matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts and some administrative agencies.
- Michigan circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan elections and may also be appointed to fill vacancies.
- Judges serve six-year terms and may run for reelection.
- Candidates must be licensed attorneys authorized to practice law in Michigan, admitted to practice for at least five years, qualified electors within the judicial circuit, and under 70 years old at the time of election or appointment.
- The salary of a Michigan circuit court judge is approximately $183,000 per year.

A judge who handles major criminal, civil, and family court cases.

Michigan Circuit Court Judge, District 44

Candidates (5)