Court rules judge can't run as incumbent for different seat

LANSING (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that a judge who is trying to get around an age limit and stay in office can’t be listed as an incumbent for a different seat.

Peter O’Connell can’t run for re-election in 2018 because he’ll be 70 so he’s been suing the state to try to get his name on the ballot this year as an incumbent for another seat.

A victory would extend his service on the appeals court. But that court ruled recently that “incumbent” is linked to a specific office — and O’Connell can’t be the incumbent for a seat now held
by Judge Michael Gadola.

The Detroit News says the appeals court made its ruling Aug. 25.