Michelle MacDonald decided to challenge Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Margaret Chutich this election because Chutich is gay, according to comments made by MacDonald in a story published by the Star Tribune. MacDonald, who ran twice unsuccessfully for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2014 and 2016, filed to run against Chutich in June.
MacDonald’s candidacy hasn’t generated many positive headlines, but in a story published today by the Star Tribune, MacDonald discloses one of her bigoted reasons for challenging Chutich:
In a recent interview, MacDonald singled out Chutich’s sexuality as helping her decide who to challenge in this year’s election. Three other members of the court are on the ballot this year but are unopposed. “It factored in, but it wasn’t the only reason,” MacDonald said. “ … When that came to me, that piece, I’m just like, ‘Yep, that’s the one.’ ”
MacDonald said she views Chutich’s marital status as her right but cast it as a “liberal view” counter to MacDonald’s conservative philosophy.
“Spiritually, the reason why you connect with somebody is to procreate, basically,” MacDonald said. “And I’m pro-life. You can certainly publish that. I’m not afraid to be pro-life.”
MacDonald’s bigoted reason for running against Chutich is not the only controversial comments she made in recent weeks.
In an interview on WCCO Radio earlier this month, MacDonald said she does not believe Sandra Grazzini-Rucki committed a crime when she abducted her children during a custody dispute with her ex-husband. MacDonald said the crime involving the disappearance of Samatha and Gianna Rucki was committed by Judge David Knutson when he issued a court order involving custody in 2012.
MacDonald served as Grazzini-Rucki’s family court attorney during the entire 944 days her client’s daughters were missing. Grazzini-Rucki and MacDonald’s former campaign chair and manager were each convicted of six felonies for their roles in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters.
While MacDonald has a long record of making irresponsible and false statements against judges, her shocking comments about Chutich expose overlooked bigotry. In 2016, MacDonald posted a picture on her Facebook page of her wearing a paper hat with the words “Reason for Lesbians” at a restaurant.
MacDonald is currently being investigated by lawyers board
MacDonald is currently being investigated by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility for alleged violations of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct governing licensed attorneys. The investigation into the alleged violations by MacDonald was opened after Missing in Minnesota filed a formal complaint with the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility in June after MacDonald filed a “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit against Missing in Minnesota, which appears to be in violation of an Order of the Minnesota Supreme Court which details the conditions by which MacDonald is allowed to practice law.
MacDonald’s legal work will be examined in an upcoming book
MacDonald was labeled in April 2015 as a “person of interest” by the Lakeville Police Department in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki. MacDonald refused to cooperate with the Lakeville Police Department’s investigation into her possible involvement in the disappearance of the sisters – even after public statements from her that she would cooperate in the investigation. Her criminal defense attorney, Stephen Grigsby, said in 2015 that he would advise MacDonald to not speak with the Lakeville Police Department.
An examination of MacDonald’s legal work will be included in the upcoming book, The Girls Are Gone which is available for pre-sale now and will be released on October 23, 2018. The book also includes new information about the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki and the adults who conspired to keep the missing sisters and the truth hidden.
The Girls Are Gone also explores the connection between MacDonald and two people convicted for their roles in the disappearance of the Rucki sisters: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Dede Evavold. MacDonald was labeled a “person of interest” by the Lakeville Police Department in the disappearance of Samantha and Gianna Rucki but did not cooperate in the investigation.
The Girls Are Gone will be published by Wise Ink Creative Publishing and will be released on October 23, 2018.
Please follow Missing in Minnesota on Twitter and Facebook for updates on MacDonald’s campaign for the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Allison Mann contributed to this story.
