Governor Rick Snyder has appointed David Viviano to fill a recently vacated seat on the Michigan Supreme Court.
The 41-year-old is currently Chief Judge of the Macomb County Circuit Court.
Snyder says Viviano is a "rule of law" type of judge.
“He knows the role the judiciary has, which is to look at the law and make sure it's fairly and impartially applied,” Snyder said at a press conference announcing the appointment this afternoon.
Viviano opposed abortion and same-sex marriage, and favored the death penalty during an unsuccessful run for Macomb County prosecutor. He says those questions did not come up during interviews for the job of justice.
Viviano says one of his priorities is to update courts’ technology so the public has easier access to the system.
“We all need to be integrated and communicating and working and interacting electronically,” Viviano said. “There’s a lot of efficiencies that can be gained by that, so I think there’s a lot of work to be done in that area.”
The Supreme Court seat became open after Justice Diane Hathaway resigned.
She pleaded guilty last month to bank fraud, and is awaiting sentencing.
Viviano’s appointment gives the court a five-two Republican majority.
