By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — A new face will be seen on the bench following the Nov. 4 general election, as two men are vying to succeed retiring 25th District Court Judge Michael Ciungan, who is not seeking re-election to his expiring seat.
Voters will be asked to select either Greg Clifton or Nicholas Tsalis to replace Ciungan, 62, who in 2012 was named chief judge of the merged 25th and 26th district courts, which serve Lincoln Park, River Rouge and Ecorse.
Clifton and Tsalis emerged victorious from the August primary election, eliminating candidate Todd Barron and advancing to next month’s general election. Candidate Bernadette Castro had been removed from the ballot having failed to provide enough signatures on her nominating petition.
Clifton, 59, has specialized in railroad matters and was named by Ciungan as magistrate to handle traffic disputes, search warrant applications and court matters for the 25th.
Tsalis, 57, a private practice attorney who has served as assistant Wayne County prosecutor, is a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Law.
District court judges serve six-year terms.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)