MI Dems name high court candidates

LANSING, MIch. (AP) - Michigan Democrats have selected three women to run for a state Supreme Court that is sharply divided by partisan politics.

Republicans control the court, 4-3. Delegates accepted Democratic leaders' recommendation in Sunday morning's vote in Lansing.

The candidates are Wayne County Circuit Judge Connie Kelley, Oakland County District Judge Shelia Johnson and University of Michigan law professor Bridget McCormack.

Republicans met Saturday in Grand Rapids and selected incumbent justices Stephen Markman, Brian Zahra and Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Colleen O'Brien.

Johnson will run against Zahra for two years left in the term that formerly belonged to Maura Corrigan, who resigned in 2011.

Political parties nominate people for the Supreme Court, but party labels don't appear on the ballot.

Incumbent Democrat Marilyn Kelly can't run again because of age restrictions.