Savit Wins Michigan Attorney General Race

Eli Savit, the Democratic prosecutor for Washtenaw County, won Michigan’s attorney general race on November 3, defeating Republican Doug Lloyd, the prosecutor in Eaton County. Savit will succeed Dana Nessel, a Democrat who could not seek another term because of term limits.

The contest offered voters contrasting approaches to criminal justice. Savit has supported reforms including limiting cash bail and decriminalizing consensual sex work and psychedelic mushrooms, policies that drew Republican criticism. He also backed gun restrictions such as bans on bump stocks and ghost guns, and supported the state’s safe-storage and red-flag laws.

Lloyd emphasized more than two decades of prosecutorial experience and presented himself as tough on crime. He opposed Michigan’s red-flag law and supported allowing concealed carry without a permit. Democrats argued he would back decisions made during the closing two years of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Savit also pledged to focus on consumer protection and pursue white-collar offenses including wage theft, price gouging and fraud. He raised $2.3 million, compared with $1.2 million for Lloyd. Polls had shown the race close before more recent surveys gave Savit a slight advantage.

Savit was elected Washtenaw County prosecutor in 2021. Lloyd was appointed Eaton County prosecutor in 2013 and was repeatedly reelected. Savit joins Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Garlin Gilchrist, who won the governor and secretary of state races, respectively.

Savit’s Victory Brings Reform Agenda to Michigan Attorney General’s Office

Michigan voters chose Eli Savit, a Democrat who has advocated criminal justice reform and consumer protections, over Republican Doug Lloyd in the November 3 attorney general election. Savit will succeed Dana Nessel, a Democrat facing a term limit.

The result backs a candidate who has supported limiting cash bail and decriminalizing consensual sex work and psychedelic mushrooms. Savit has also called for gun restrictions, including bans on bump stocks and ghost guns, and supported Michigan’s safe-storage and red-flag laws. Republicans criticized his prosecutor policies, while Lloyd backed repealing the red-flag law and allowing concealed carry without a permit.

Savit said he would prioritize consumer protection and pursue wage theft, price gouging and fraud. His campaign raised $2.3 million, against $1.2 million for Lloyd. After a close race in earlier polling, more recent surveys showed Savit with a slight edge.

Lloyd stressed his more than two decades of prosecutorial experience and a tough-on-crime approach. Democrats argued he would simply endorse decisions reached during the closing two years of Donald Trump’s presidency. Savit, elected Washtenaw County prosecutor in 2021, now takes the office from Nessel.

Michigan Elects Savit Despite Concerns Over His Prosecutor Policies

Eli Savit’s victory in Michigan’s attorney general race puts a prosecutor associated with criminal justice reforms in charge of the state’s top law enforcement office. The Democrat defeated Republican Doug Lloyd on November 3 and will succeed term-limited Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Republicans criticized Savit’s policies as Washtenaw County prosecutor, including decriminalizing consensual sex work and psychedelic mushrooms and limiting cash bail. Those positions stood in contrast to Lloyd’s emphasis on prosecutorial experience and a tough-on-crime approach.

The candidates also offered sharply different positions on guns. Savit supported bans on bump stocks and ghost guns, as well as the state’s laws on safe firearm storage and risk-based removal. Lloyd wanted to repeal the red-flag law and supported concealed carry without a permit. Democrats argued Lloyd would reflexively approve decisions reached during the closing two years of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Savit also campaigned on consumer protection and enforcement against wage theft, price gouging and fraud. He raised $2.3 million, compared with Lloyd’s $1.2 million. Polling had shown a statistical dead heat before later surveys gave Savit a slight lead. Lloyd had been appointed Eaton County prosecutor in 2013 and repeatedly reelected; Savit was elected Washtenaw County prosecutor in 2021.