Clay M. West
Candidate for 17th Circuit Court Judge (Incumbent Position) (Kent County) · Incumbent · November 3, 2026
About this race
A judge on the state's main trial court. Hears serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil lawsuits and, in many states, family and probate matters.
3 candidates ran for 17th Circuit Court Judge (Incumbent Position) (Kent County) in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
About Clay M. West
17th Circuit Court judge. Appointed to the 17th Circuit Court by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in April 2023 after serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Michigan; he earlier clerked on the Sixth Circuit and the California Supreme Court and was a federal prosecutor in Chicago. A lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and military judge who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, he holds degrees from Harvard, Cambridge and Yale Law School and lives in Cascade Township.
What they say they'll focus on:
- Pursuing justice
- Protecting the rule of law
- Promoting civility in the courtroom
Where they stand
This is a nonpartisan race, so we don't estimate where candidates fall from their campaign materials or look up their personal voter registration. We'd place Clay M. West only with a published academic score (from a voting record or campaign donors), and we haven't found one we can reliably source.
We haven't found a campaign site or candidate questionnaire for Clay M. West yet. What they say they'll focus on is listed above.
More about Clay M. West
Are you Clay M. West?
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Also running
Next elections here
Quick answers
- Is Clay M. West the incumbent?
- Yes. Clay M. West currently holds this office.
- What does the 17th Circuit Court Judge (Incumbent Position) seat do?
- A judge on the state's main trial court. Hears serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil lawsuits and, in many states, family and probate matters.
- Who is Clay M. West running against?
- Maureen A. Gottlieb and Scott A. Noto, for 17th Circuit Court Judge (Incumbent Position) (Kent County).
- Should I vote for Clay M. West?
- SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Clay M. West's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.
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