By Liz Nass
Gongwer News Service
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has announced her run for attorney general, saying her record protecting kids and families and prioritizing public safety will set her apart.
McDonald, a Democrat, said her campaign is about "doing the most good" and that the stakes have never been higher for the state in taking on tough fights against threats on "everything from public safety to the rule of law."
McDonald was elected Oakland County prosecutor in 2020. Her initiatives in office include reviewing every pending juvenile lifer case, establishing a Trafficking Unit, a Hate Crimes Unit and a Conviction Integrity Unit.
Before this role, McDonald was an Oakland County Circuit Court judge from 2012 to 2019, specializing in family matters like divorce and child abuse. Before then, she was a high school English teacher in Midland.
As county prosecutor, she led the prosecution of Ethan Crumbley and his parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley following the Oxford High School shooting in 2021.
McDonald is joining the Democratic primary with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit and former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, who led the Department of Justice's Western Michigan District following a stint as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's chief legal counsel.
As Attorney General Dana Nessel cannot seek reelection in 2026, the Michigan Democratic Party delegates will formally select a candidate next year.
In an interview with Gongwer News Service, McDonald said her path has always been in the direction of where she can make the most impact, and is known for being strong, fair and straightforward.
One of her focuses of the campaign is "threats to fundamental freedoms and federal overreach," according to her campaign press release. When it comes to the current administration, Nessel has been focused on piling lawsuits on Trump administration executive orders and actions.
She said while addressing gun violence, another piece of her campaign, prosecuting individuals with gun charges is only one piece of the puzzle.
Gun violence needs to be treated like a public health crisis, McDonald said, and should be treated in the way the state was able to bring down the amount of automobile accidents: with education.
She wants to use the office to be an educational resource on safe storage laws and provide resources to help children before "they get to that moment of crisis where their hand is on a gun."
McDonald is passionate about the fight against human trafficking in the state as well, with Michigan being in the top 10 states in instances of trafficking of both humans or drugs, focusing on that issue as county prosecutor.
Gongwer News Service
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has announced her run for attorney general, saying her record protecting kids and families and prioritizing public safety will set her apart.
McDonald, a Democrat, said her campaign is about "doing the most good" and that the stakes have never been higher for the state in taking on tough fights against threats on "everything from public safety to the rule of law."
McDonald was elected Oakland County prosecutor in 2020. Her initiatives in office include reviewing every pending juvenile lifer case, establishing a Trafficking Unit, a Hate Crimes Unit and a Conviction Integrity Unit.
Before this role, McDonald was an Oakland County Circuit Court judge from 2012 to 2019, specializing in family matters like divorce and child abuse. Before then, she was a high school English teacher in Midland.
As county prosecutor, she led the prosecution of Ethan Crumbley and his parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley following the Oxford High School shooting in 2021.
McDonald is joining the Democratic primary with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit and former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, who led the Department of Justice's Western Michigan District following a stint as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's chief legal counsel.
As Attorney General Dana Nessel cannot seek reelection in 2026, the Michigan Democratic Party delegates will formally select a candidate next year.
In an interview with Gongwer News Service, McDonald said her path has always been in the direction of where she can make the most impact, and is known for being strong, fair and straightforward.
One of her focuses of the campaign is "threats to fundamental freedoms and federal overreach," according to her campaign press release. When it comes to the current administration, Nessel has been focused on piling lawsuits on Trump administration executive orders and actions.
She said while addressing gun violence, another piece of her campaign, prosecuting individuals with gun charges is only one piece of the puzzle.
Gun violence needs to be treated like a public health crisis, McDonald said, and should be treated in the way the state was able to bring down the amount of automobile accidents: with education.
She wants to use the office to be an educational resource on safe storage laws and provide resources to help children before "they get to that moment of crisis where their hand is on a gun."
McDonald is passionate about the fight against human trafficking in the state as well, with Michigan being in the top 10 states in instances of trafficking of both humans or drugs, focusing on that issue as county prosecutor.
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