Tamara Garwood
MI · 15th District Court Judge (Ann Arbor)
Tamara Garwood is an Ann Arbor district court judge who hears criminal, traffic and landlord-tenant cases and runs mental health and veterans treatment dockets. She was the court's magistrate for ten years after 17 years in private practice, and stresses fair, respectful treatment for all.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 6 records
Was endorsed for 15th District Court judge by the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus (MI Jewish Democrats), listed on its endorsement page as of August 25, 2026.
August 25, 2026
Source: mijewishdems.org
Was endorsed for 15th District Court judge by the Washtenaw County Democratic Party at its August 15, 2026 endorsement meeting.
August 15, 2026
Source: washtenawdems.org
Was appointed judge of the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, filling the seat left by Judge Karen Valvo's resignation. The term runs to January 1, 2027.
January 6, 2026
Source: michigan.gov
Lost the November 2024 election for an open 15th District Court judgeship in Ann Arbor. S. Kerene Moore won with nearly 59 percent of the vote.
November 5, 2024
Source: wemu.org
Served as magistrate of Ann Arbor's 15th District Court after then-Chief Judge Joseph Burke appointed her in 2016.
October 17, 2024
Source: wemu.org
As magistrate, arraigned Barry Garza on an open murder charge in the shooting death of Amber Jo Thomas in Saline, and denied him bond.
August 5, 2023
Source: thesalinepost.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable
Received the A. Thomas Truesdell Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates in 2025, for outstanding service as a magistrate.
January 6, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: michigan.gov
Was appointed judge of the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, filling the seat left by Judge Karen Valvo's resignation. The term runs to January 1, 2027.
January 6, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: michigan.gov
Past race Tamara Garwood ran in:
- 15th District Judge of District Court - Incumbent Position, City of Ann Arbor · November 3, 2026 · Ann Arbor city, Michigan · incumbent