The first candidate has emerged for a judicial seat set to be created next year.

Dennis Brewer, the former president of the Livingston County Bar Association, has announced his candidacy for an open seat on the 44th Circuit Court in Livingston County. Currently held by 53rd District Court Judge Carol Sue Reader, the judicial seat will move to the 44th Circuit Court on January 1st, 2019 following a recommendation from the State Court Administrative Office. The first term of the new seat will be for eight years instead of the usual six, so that judicial seats will eventually be staggered and up for election every two years. Reader is prohibited from running again due to age restrictions.

Brewer is the first candidate to announce for the seat, and has lined up endorsements from 8th District Republican Congressman Mike Bishop as well as State Representatives Lana Theis of Brighton Township and Hank Vaupel of Handy Township. He also has endorsements from Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy; Livingston County Commissioner and former Sheriff Bob Bezotte; Livingston County Register of Deeds Brandon Denby and Livingston County Undersheriff Jeff Warder.

Brewer unsuccessfully ran against 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan in 2014, losing 57-43% Brennan has since become embroiled in investigations by the Judicial Tenure Commission and Michigan Attorney General’s Office for her handling of a double murder trial in which she is accused of hiding an affair with the chief witness in the case. In his announcement, Brewer said that he thinks, “we’ve seen very clearly that our judges need to have not only an outstanding legal background, but also the temperament, character and integrity for the job,” qualities he says he possesses.

The Hartland Township resident has been in private practice in Brighton for the past 19 years. He graduated Cum Laude from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and began his legal career as a clerk for 53rd District Court Judge Frank Del Vero. From 2007-2008, he served as president of the Livingston County Bar Association. Brewer and his wife, Melanie, have three sons, Caleb, Drew and Preston. He currently serves as the President of the Hartland Area Youth Athletic Association (HAYAA), and serves on the school board at Light of the World Academy in Pinckney. (JK)