It’s basic math: The levers of power on the Michigan Supreme Court shifted with Tuesday’s election results from a 5-2 Republican majority to a more ideologically balanced 4-3.

Several legal experts interviewed this week by Bridge said Tuesday’s results appear to reinforce a recent move toward the center by the state’s highest court.

In a close race, Detroit appellate specialist Megan Cavanagh – backed by the Democratic Party – knocked off incumbent Republican-backed Justice Kurtis Wilder. A second incumbent Republican, Elizabeth Clement, who has shown a streak of independence from her nominating party, retained her seat.

“You are going to see very much more in terms of consensus decisions,” predicted Wayne State University law professor Robert Sedler, who’s been tracking the court for decades and is generally seen to bring a liberal perspective to its workings. “The court has already moved to being a much more traditional court in deciding cases on the merits and not trying to advance an ideological agenda,” Sedler told Bridge.

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