LANSING, MICHIGAN (AP) -- A divided Michigan Supreme Court has chosen Marilyn Kelly as its new chief justice.

The court voted 4-3 Thursday to elevate the Democrat to the position that came open when Republican Clifford Taylor was defeated in November during his reelection bid.

Republican Robert Young, Jr. received three votes for the top job.

The selection of a chief will be followed in the afternoon by a ceremony for the court's first new justice in nearly a decade.

Democrat Diane Hathaway defeated Taylor in November.  Her win ended conservatives' long dominance on the seven-member court.

In what appears to be a first, justices elected Kelly at a public hearing.  Such administrative matters previously were done behind closed doors.

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