Macomb County assistant prosecutor runs for judge again
Steve Fox, 45, of Macomb Township, will run against Judge Teri Lynn Dennings, who was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December to fill the final two years of a six-year term that was held by Mark Switalski. She is Macomb Circuit Court’s first Black judge.
Veteran Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor Steve Fox announced he is seeking a Macomb Circuit judicial post in this year’s election.
Fox, 45, of Macomb Township, will run against Judge Teri Lynn Dennings, who was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December to fill the final two years of a sixyear term that was held by Mark Switalski. She is Macomb Circuit Court’s first Black judge.
Fox pointed to his experience as a top attorney in the Prosecutor’s Office and other work as his reasons to vote for him.
He is currently chief of the Major Crimes Unit and has conducted more than 100 jury trials, including many high-profile murder cases. He is chief of the Cold Crimes Unit and was chief of the Senior Crimes Unit.
“I am proud of my time as Assistant Prosecutor, and it has undoubtedly prepared me to do even more for Macomb County,” Fox said in a news release. “Protecting everyone in Macomb requires that our judges be fair and impartial.
Judges are tasked with making the tough decisions and must make them based on statutory text and the Rule of Law, without regard for political leanings. I will do just that.”
Fox began working as a lawyer in 2002 in business, labor and employment law, and in 2005 was hired as an assistant prosecutor.
“I pride myself on practicing law with absolute integrity, treating everyone fairly, and protecting the rights of all because true justice can only be born through the exercise of candor, compassion, and character,” he said. “The true depth of my work has been in the quiet hours easing the fears and consoling the hearts of crime victims, while also protecting the rights of everyone else involved.”
Fox also ran for circuit judge in 2014 but was defeated by Judge James Maceroni, who won re-election two years ago. He touted his community involvement that he said was inspired by “my love for Macomb County.”
He boasted of endorsements from his boss, county Prosecutor Peter Lucido, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and Treasurer Larry Rocca.
Fox is married and has two children.
Dennings, a Warren resident, serves as a family court judge on the Macomb circuit bench.
She touts 15 years of experience in representing individuals, corporations, labor unions and government in civil litigation and administrative law and has taught as an adjunct professor at Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan — Dearborn, and the University
School.
Dennings has received several awards, including Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star, HOUR Magazine’s Top Women Attorneys, Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Up & Coming Attorney,” SSA’s Award for Exceptional Contributions, and Consumers Energy’s Leaving it Better
She has described her judicial philosophy as “RIPP, which encompasses: respect, impartial decision making, preparation, and public service beyond the bench.”
She touts that she has been involved in the community and has endorsements from 19 judges, 13 of them from Macomb County jurists.
The election filing deadline was Tuesday.
of Michigan Law