In a move that signals the coming electoral battles, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 Michigan Attorney General position, a position left open as the incumbent, Democrat Dana Nessel, reaches her term limit. Savit, a Democrat himself, is touting his record of legal advocacy and progressive prosecution policies. He announced his campaign intent on May 12, according to CBS News Detroit, casting himself as "a fearless advocate for justice, fairness, and opportunity for all."
The race is shaping up to be a contested one, with former United States attorney Mark Totten already in the mix for the Democratic nomination, and Birmingham attorney Kevin Kijewski gunning for the Republican nod. Savit's approach, marrying his experience as a prosecutor with a proactive social agenda, has him focusing on issues such as corporate accountability, consumer protection, and Trump-era constitutional challenges. "Our rights are under attack. As AG, my job will be to stand between Michiganders and those who seek to harm us," Savit stated in a post announcing his campaign, FOX 2 Detroit reported.
Throughout his prosecutorial career, Eli Savit has made strides toward criminal justice reform, having established an economic justice unit and pushed back against the use of cash bail in criminal trials. Echoing these reforms, in a move to fortify his platform, Savit stated, "I'm running to stand up for the people of the state of Michigan, no matter who is screwing them over," in an interview with the Detroit Free Press.
Savit's career before his election as Washtenaw County's top prosecutor highlights a diverse legal background — including a stint as senior legal counsel in Detroit where he combated the opioid crisis and fought for educational rights. His tenure also featured work on critical infrastructure, facilitating international agreements on the Gordie Howe International Bridge. After law school, Savit clerked for two notable figures in the judiciary, U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the latter with whom he worked before her death in 2020, and O'Connor, who passed away in 2023. "Whether it’s a corporate polluter, a shady business ripping off workers or Donald Trump himself—I’m ready to fight back," Savit has pledged, FOX 2 Detroit shared from his campaign announcement.
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