Third Democrat announces bid for 2026 attorney general race

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(The Center Square) – Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced her campaign for Michigan Attorney General.

McDonald is the third Democrat to enter the race, which will be held at the midterm elections in 2026. The seat is currently held by Democrat Dana Nessel, who is term-limited.

“I’m running for Attorney General because I'm someone who has always been drawn to doing the most good,” McDonald said in a statement announcing her campaign. “Right now, our state is facing major threats on everything from public safety to the rule of law. From gun violence and human trafficking, to threats to our fundamental freedoms and federal overreach — the stakes have never been higher.”

McDonald, 54, was first elected as Oakland County’s prosecutor in 2020. Before that, she had worked as a high school English teacher, in private law practice as a civil and family law attorney, and a family court judge in Oakland County Circuit Court.

She rose to fame on both the state and national stage during her time as prosecutor after the 2021 Oxford High School shooting, which took the lives of four students. McDonald made the controversial decision to criminally charge the shooter’s parents, who were later convicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter.

That was the first legal action of this kind against parents of a school shooter.

Her campaign website applauds that move by McDonald as “bold action.”

“Securing landmark convictions in the Oxford prosecutions was important, but it was not enough,” it said. “Karen’s actions sent a clear message: as a state and a country, we can do more to prevent gun violence.”

McDonald is running on a platform prioritizing public safety, protecting Michiganders, and being a “watchdog for the people.”

This includes strengthening efforts against hate crimes and defending abortion rights. McDonald also seems set to continue Nessel’s ongoing battle against the Trump Administration, stating she will take action to “stop illegal actions by the federal government that hurt our state.”

McDonald is joined in the race by Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit and former federal prosecutor Mark Totten. McDonald said in her campaign announcement that she is ready to take on the role.

“Michigan needs an attorney general ready to take on these tough fights, protect our freedoms, uphold the law and keep our communities safe,” she said. “It’s what I’ve done my whole life, as a prosecutor, as a judge, and a teacher and a mom, and it's what I'll do as attorney general.”

So far, just one Republican, Kevin Kijewski, has entered the race. Kijewski is running to restore law and order, constitutional freedoms and election integrity.

In the 2026 election, Michigan will also be voting on its top three executive positions – governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

All three of those are currently held by Democrats, as is the state Senate.