What's in a name? Maybe a seat on a Detroit-area court
A man seeking to become a judge could get a boost on Election Day after changing his last name to one that’s long been associated with Detroit-area courts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man seeking to become a judge could get a boost on Election Day after changing his last name to one that has long been associated with Detroit-area courts
Nicholas John Bobak legally changed his name last year to Nicholas John Bobak Hathaway, the Detroit Free Press reported. He has been married since 2008 to Dana Hathaway, who has been a judge since 2013.
By blood or by marriage, at least 10 members of the Hathaway family have served as Wayne County judges over the last two decades, the newspaper said.
Dana Hathaway lost an election for Oakland County judge in 2010 but won two years later in Wayne County.
"I changed my name to honor my wife,” Nicholas Hathaway told the Free Press. “If I had a nickel for every time an attorney asked me, ‘Are you going to change your name and run for judge?’ I wouldn’t need a job.
“This is a decision we made within the bounds of our family and our marriage," he said, declining further comment.
Mario Morrow, who has managed local campaigns, said the Hathaway name is “golden” in judicial races.
“The voters don’t know one Hathaway from the other," he said.
Hathaway is among four candidates running for two seats on the court. They include someone with another well-known name: Mary Beth Kelly, a former Wayne County judge and former Michigan Supreme Court justice, is seeking to return to the local bench.
In 2013, Hathaway's mother-in-law, Diane Hathaway, resigned from the Supreme Court and pleaded guilty to bank fraud related to a real estate deal.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.