By Lily Guiney
Gongwer News Service
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit pulled off an underdog victory to secure the endorsement of the Michigan Democratic Party for attorney general Sunday, among several come-from-behind wins for the party’s progressive wing.
Savit, whose endorsement announcement caused the remaining delegates at Huntington Place after six hours of voting and tabulation to erupt into celebration, beat Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald to come out as the likely nominee.
Savit said despite what some in the party may view as his exclusively left-leaning bona fides, he’s prepared to be a worker in the general election cycle that can appeal to a wide spectrum of voters.
“I will stand for the people no matter who it is that’s on the other side,” he said. “I really think that ours is a campaign that could bring the Democratic Party together.”
Savit’s victory over McDonald stunned many Democrats and observers – though some Democrats had warned in recent days not to underestimate the movement of new, progressive activists supporting Savit.
It was a remarkable rebuke for McDonald, who from the moment she first won the Oakland County prosecutor position in 2020 was seen as an A-list prospect for the party to run for attorney general. She assembled a juggernaut of union endorsements that in the past would usually have assured victory at a state Democratic convention – the United Auto Workers, the Michigan Education Association, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, the Michigan AFL-CIO, plus many others.
She had the Council of Baptist Pastors Detroit & Vicinity, EMILY’s List – and a huge campaign war chest to bring into a general election.
Savit, however, had an array of support from left-wing groups like the Michigan Working Families Party, The People’s Coalition, The Black Slate, the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus and several college Democratic organizations.
As McDonald piled up her endorsements, she had a sense – now illusory, in hindsight – of momentum. The third candidate in the race, former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, bowed out and endorsed her.
Savit was the subject of a story this weekend in The Detroit News flagging his use of taxpayer funds from his county prosecutor office to pay for gasoline traveling the state for his campaign. He defended the use of the money in the story but then swiftly promised to repay the county from his campaign fund.
Possibly a key turning point in the race was how activists perceived the candidates’ position on utilities. McDonald got heavy criticism for having some donors with utility ties. Savit signed a pledge from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters not to knowingly accept money from utilities while McDonald refused.
McDonald, in a statement, thanked her supporters. She did not mention Savit.
“I am extremely proud of the campaign my team and I have run and I am so proud of what we represent,” she said. “We spent the past 10 months listening to everyday Michiganders from each and every county, and what I’ve learned is that we cannot leave anyone behind, there is room for all of us. The work continues.”
Republicans appeared ecstatic to see Savit emerge victorious. After becoming prosecutor in 2021, Savit implemented some top progressive priorities like ending cash bail, making Washtenaw County the first in the state to ditch the practice. He also ended prosecution of commercial sex workers for prostitution. He further announced the discontinuation of prosecutions related to marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
“Today’s endorsement makes clear the direction Democratic leadership wants to take the Attorney General’s office,” said Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd, the endorsed Republican for attorney general. “Prosecutor Savit has championed policies that reflect a political approach to prosecution. I believe Michigan deserves something different, a legal system grounded in fairness, consistency, and respect for the rule of law. This race is about restoring balance and common sense. The Attorney General’s office should not be used to advance political agendas or selective enforcement. It should serve the people equally, without bias.”
Gongwer News Service
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit pulled off an underdog victory to secure the endorsement of the Michigan Democratic Party for attorney general Sunday, among several come-from-behind wins for the party’s progressive wing.
Savit, whose endorsement announcement caused the remaining delegates at Huntington Place after six hours of voting and tabulation to erupt into celebration, beat Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald to come out as the likely nominee.
Savit said despite what some in the party may view as his exclusively left-leaning bona fides, he’s prepared to be a worker in the general election cycle that can appeal to a wide spectrum of voters.
“I will stand for the people no matter who it is that’s on the other side,” he said. “I really think that ours is a campaign that could bring the Democratic Party together.”
Savit’s victory over McDonald stunned many Democrats and observers – though some Democrats had warned in recent days not to underestimate the movement of new, progressive activists supporting Savit.
It was a remarkable rebuke for McDonald, who from the moment she first won the Oakland County prosecutor position in 2020 was seen as an A-list prospect for the party to run for attorney general. She assembled a juggernaut of union endorsements that in the past would usually have assured victory at a state Democratic convention – the United Auto Workers, the Michigan Education Association, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, the Michigan AFL-CIO, plus many others.
She had the Council of Baptist Pastors Detroit & Vicinity, EMILY’s List – and a huge campaign war chest to bring into a general election.
Savit, however, had an array of support from left-wing groups like the Michigan Working Families Party, The People’s Coalition, The Black Slate, the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus and several college Democratic organizations.
As McDonald piled up her endorsements, she had a sense – now illusory, in hindsight – of momentum. The third candidate in the race, former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, bowed out and endorsed her.
Savit was the subject of a story this weekend in The Detroit News flagging his use of taxpayer funds from his county prosecutor office to pay for gasoline traveling the state for his campaign. He defended the use of the money in the story but then swiftly promised to repay the county from his campaign fund.
Possibly a key turning point in the race was how activists perceived the candidates’ position on utilities. McDonald got heavy criticism for having some donors with utility ties. Savit signed a pledge from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters not to knowingly accept money from utilities while McDonald refused.
McDonald, in a statement, thanked her supporters. She did not mention Savit.
“I am extremely proud of the campaign my team and I have run and I am so proud of what we represent,” she said. “We spent the past 10 months listening to everyday Michiganders from each and every county, and what I’ve learned is that we cannot leave anyone behind, there is room for all of us. The work continues.”
Republicans appeared ecstatic to see Savit emerge victorious. After becoming prosecutor in 2021, Savit implemented some top progressive priorities like ending cash bail, making Washtenaw County the first in the state to ditch the practice. He also ended prosecution of commercial sex workers for prostitution. He further announced the discontinuation of prosecutions related to marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
“Today’s endorsement makes clear the direction Democratic leadership wants to take the Attorney General’s office,” said Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd, the endorsed Republican for attorney general. “Prosecutor Savit has championed policies that reflect a political approach to prosecution. I believe Michigan deserves something different, a legal system grounded in fairness, consistency, and respect for the rule of law. This race is about restoring balance and common sense. The Attorney General’s office should not be used to advance political agendas or selective enforcement. It should serve the people equally, without bias.”
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