The Michigan attorney general's seat is open in 2026, and the race to fill it has crystallized around two sitting prosecutors with very different visions for the office. One of them is based right here in Washtenaw County.
Eli Savit, the Democratic Washtenaw County Prosecutor, is running for attorney general. He faces Doug Lloyd, the Republican Eaton County Prosecutor, in a contest that will determine the direction of Michigan's top law enforcement office for the next four years.
An Open Seat in Lansing
Current Attorney General Dana Nessel is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. Her departure leaves a vacuum in a race that draws statewide attention with just over two months until the primary.
The primary election is set for August 4, 2026. The general election follows on November 3, 2026.
Two Prosecutors, Two Platforms
Both candidates bring prosecutorial experience to the race. Their campaign websites outline sharply different priorities.
Eli Savit has served as Washtenaw County Prosecutor since 2020. He is a University of Michigan Law School graduate who clerked for two U.S. Supreme Court Justices.
According to his campaign website, Savit says his focus if elected would be on:
- Prosecuting serious crime
- Protecting voting rights
- Holding environmental polluters accountable
"If elected, his focus will be on prosecuting serious crime, protecting voting rights and holding environmental polluters accountable," according to his campaign website.
Savit is running as a Democrat.
Doug Lloyd has been the Eaton County Prosecutor for 13 years and serves as president of the Michigan Prosecutors Association.
According to his campaign website, Lloyd says his focus would be on:
- Prosecuting fairly
- Protecting constitutional rights
- Pushing back on what he calls "political lawfare"
Lloyd is running as a Republican.
Why Ann Arbor Voters Should Pay Attention
The attorney general's office shapes law enforcement policy across the state. It brings civil lawsuits against corporations, defends state laws in court, and oversees legal opinions that guide local governments.
For Ann Arbor residents, Savit's candidacy is notable. He already prosecutes cases in Washtenaw County, meaning his record on crime, civil rights, and environmental enforcement is familiar to local voters.
The primary election on August 4 will determine which party's nominee advances to the November general election. With both candidates entrenched as sitting prosecutors, the race is likely to center on their track records rather than unfamiliar political resumes.
The next few weeks will bring campaign announcements, debate invitations, and potentially endorsements from statewide party leaders. The outcome in Lansing will depend on which candidate can expand beyond their home county and win trust across all 83 counties in Michigan.