Michigan Democrats nominated Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit for attorney general and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist for secretary of state Sunday at their convention in Detroit.

More than 7,200 credentialed delegates attended the Michigan Democratic Party convention at Huntington Place, setting a record turnout according to party chair Curtis Hertel Jr. The convention featured a contentious atmosphere with booing during speeches and credentialing delays.

Savit won the attorney general nomination over Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. McDonald had been endorsed by unions including the UAW, MEA and Michigan AFL-CIO. Savit said he faces challenges from Washington DC and the corrupting influence of money in politics.

Doug Lloyd, the Republican nominee for attorney general, said Savit would use a political approach to the office where an unbiased one was needed. Lloyd is the Eaton County Prosecutor who has served since 2013.

Gilchrist will face Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini in November. Forlini was endorsed by the Michigan Republican Party. Gilchrist has served as Governor Gretchen Whitmer lieutenant for seven years and initially ran for governor before switching to secretary of state.

Other Democratic nominees included:

  • Michigan Supreme Court Justices Megan Cavanagh and Noah Hood
  • State Board of Education members Judith Pritchett and Tiffany Tilley
  • University of Michigan Regent Amir Makled, who ousted incumbent Jordan Acker

Makled defeated Acker in a heavily contested race that became a proxy for discontent over how the University of Michigan handled pro-Palestinian protests. Acker had been endorsed by Governor Whitmer and other high-profile Democrats.

The convention also saw U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens from Birmingham greeted by boos during her remarks. The most vocal activists appeared to favor Abdul El-Sayed for the US Senate seat.

Sheri Trudeau, from Milan where a massive data center is planned, supported Savit because of his opposition to data centers. She said there were other candidates taking money from utilities as part of their campaigns and Eli was not.