Michigan GOP Endorses Doug Lloyd as Attorney General, Tony Forlini as Secretary of State

Michigan Republicans have selected their likely nominees for two key statewide offices as the party moves toward the August primary election.

Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd won the endorsement for Michigan attorney general, while Macomb County Clerk Tony Forlini secured the secretary of state nomination. Both candidates will need to be formally nominated at the GOP's August convention, a legal requirement to appear on the ballot.

The endorsements came Saturday at a convention in Novi, where the party's delegates were looking for candidates who can appeal to mainstream voters and demonstrate competence over ideology.

Mainstream Appeal and Competence

Lloyd, who has served as Eaton County Prosecutor, said the GOP convention delegates were seeking candidates who bring both election experience and prosecutorial expertise.

"I think what it is, is Anthony and I bring together the ability to actually show people what it's like when you've been elected, when you have the experience doing the job," Lloyd said following the convention. "We know the job. We know how to do it. We know how to move forward."

Forlini, who is also a former state legislator, emphasized that Republicans are hungry to win following eight years of Democratic control of the executive branch.

"Electability," Forlini said. "I think established leadership in the past. I've got a record of getting things done."

The candidates will face formal nomination at the GOP's August convention, which is a legal requirement under Michigan law. While Saturday's endorsement convention is not the final word, delegates would need supermajority votes to overturn the selections at the August convention, making an upset unlikely.

Strategic Timing

The early endorsement convention gives the party and the candidates crucial time to coalesce, organize and fundraise before the August primary election. This adjustment is particularly important in the wake of new election laws that allow for early voting and expanded mail-in ballot access.

"That really is a game changer, and I think the party that adjusts to that the best will be the one with the best chances," said Delegate Pete Lund, a former state legislator from Macomb County. "The party that makes that adjustment, the party that takes advantage of that is going to be the party that is going to be in the best shape."

Republicans see opportunities in the upcoming election cycle. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson cannot seek reelection under Michigan's term limits, creating openings at the top of the executive branch.

However, campaign consultants warn that the party in the White House typically suffers at the polls in midterm elections.

"Obviously, we're in a tough political environment," said GOP campaign consultant Jason Roe. "But with good candidates and good fundraising, you can overperform."

Roe noted that a lot will depend on the nominees for governor and U.S. Senate, who will top the ballot and influence overall turnout.

The August Primary

The parties cannot change the date of the August primary elections, where voters—not party insiders—will choose candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, the U.S. House and the state Legislature. This was confirmed at the convention and underscores the power of voters in Michigan's election process.

The early endorsement convention allows the party to begin organizing and fundraising while the final nominations are still being determined. It also signals to donors and activists that the party is serious about winning in 2026.

GOP Convention Context

The endorsements come as Michigan Republicans continue to build momentum for their August convention. The party has already begun focusing on statewide races, with the governorship and U.S. Senate positions commanding significant attention.

The endorsements of Lloyd and Forlini represent a strategic move to field competitive tickets in the remaining open statewide offices. Both candidates have local prosecutorial or legal experience that could appeal to voters across Michigan.

Lloyd's prosecutorial background in Eaton County and Forlini's experience as Macomb County Clerk both provide familiarity with state government operations and law enforcement issues.

Next Steps

Both Lloyd and Forlini will now focus on formal nomination procedures and campaign organization. The August convention will be where they must secure the party's official nomination to appear on the ballot.

The endorsements also signal to the party's base that Michigan Republicans are serious about winning in 2026, even amid a challenging political environment.

"We know how to do it," Lloyd said, echoing sentiments from throughout the convention. "We know how to move forward."

The race for Michigan's attorney general and secretary of state positions now enters the formal nomination phase, with both Lloyd and Forlini working to build their campaigns ahead of the August primary election.