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DETROIT MICHIGAN — Michigan Democrats on Sunday selected Eli Savit as their nominee for attorney general, choosing the Washtenaw County prosecutor over Karen McDonald at a contentious party convention in Detroit that also reflected broader political tensions within the party.
Savit’s nomination comes at a time when Democrats in Michigan and nationally have faced criticism and accusations from some opponents and commentators over alleged tolerance of antisemitic rhetoric tied to protests and divisions over U.S. policy in the Middle East. His selection, however, also underscores the complexity of those claims, as Savit himself is Jewish and has been an active figure within Democratic legal and political circles.
The endorsement was decided at the Michigan Democratic Party convention at Huntington Place, where more than 7,200 delegates gathered to vote on candidates for statewide offices ahead of the November election.
Savit will now face Republican nominee Doug Lloyd, setting up a general election contest between two longtime prosecutors with sharply different views on the role of the attorney general’s office.
“We’re on the front line right now,” Savit told delegates following his nomination. “We’re facing challenges from Washington, D.C. We’re facing challenges from the corrupting influence of money in our politics. But what you see reflected on this stage is a hopeful vision for the future.”
Lloyd criticized Savit shortly after the nomination was announced, arguing that his policies reflect a politically driven approach to prosecution.
“Michigan deserves something different,” Lloyd said. “A legal system grounded in fairness, consistency, and respect for the rule of law.”
Savit’s supporters pointed to his record as Washtenaw County prosecutor, including his stances on criminal justice reform and environmental issues. Some delegates also emphasized his independence from corporate and utility-backed funding as a key reason for their support.
The convention itself highlighted ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party, particularly around issues related to campus protests, foreign policy, and internal messaging. Critics have used those divisions to accuse Democrats of failing to adequately address antisemitism in certain activist spaces, while party leaders and many members have rejected those claims and pointed to the diversity within their ranks.
Savit’s nomination places him at the center of that broader political debate as the campaign moves into the general election phase.
In other action, Democrats also nominated Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II as their candidate for secretary of state, as the party looks to present a unified ticket in November.
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