Incumbent
Michigan Democratic Attorney General nominee?
$33.0K
APR 20, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOther
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age55 years old (Jul 11, 1970)
GenderFemale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundLawyer
EducationAlma College — B.A., English and political science
Notable personal detailsKaren Diane McDonald is an American lawyer and Democratic politician who has served as Prosecuting Attorney of Oakland County, Michigan since January 1, 2021. She previously served as a judge on Michigan’s 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County, focusing on family court matters. She earned a B.A. in English and political science from Alma College and a J.D. (cum laude) from Wayne State University Law School. In June 2025, she announced her candidacy for Michigan Attorney General in the 2026 election.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Karen McDonald’s campaign materials emphasize ‘‘guarding your tax dollars,’’ protecting workers, and lowering costs by holding corporations and landlords accountable, but do not set out specific tax-rate proposals or clear positions on raising or cutting taxes. Endorsements from labor groups and education associations indicate pro-worker priorities, yet public statements found do not explicitly describe preferred changes to tax policy or revenue levels.
Healthcare
Karen McDonald’s campaign materials emphasize lowering costs, holding corporations accountable for price gouging, defending abortion rights, and investing in addiction and mental health treatment, but do not state a clear position on health insurance policy (e.g., ACA expansion, public option, or Medicare for All).
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Immigration & Border
Supports protecting immigrants’ constitutional rights and limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, while focusing on legal/constitutional safeguards rather than advocating for expanded federal immigration pathways. As Oakland County Prosecutor she issued guidance for schools to restrict or require warrants for ICE access and has said she will investigate/prosecute federal immigration officers who violate the law.
Climate & Energy
Supports defending Michigan’s environment through legal action against polluters and using legal settlements to remediate damage; emphasizes protecting ratepayers while working to improve grid reliability and efficiency.
Public Safety & Guns
Karen McDonald has called for tougher gun laws in Michigan, described gun violence as a public-health crisis, and has promoted measures such as safe-storage requirements and community-based prevention protocols while saying she is not anti-gun. She created a commission and public plan focused on preventing gun violence and has urged legal and policy changes in the wake of mass shootings she prosecuted.
News
Karen McDonald is in the news because she lost the Michigan Democratic Party’s endorsement for attorney general to Eli Savit. That convention result is now being questioned, with party members and Attorney General Dana Nessel calling for an independent audit over reported voting irregularities and possible counting errors. The dispute could still affect the party’s statewide nominations, including the attorney general race.
Candidates, AG Nessel want audit of Democratic convention after remote voting reports
Who Dems, Republicans endorsed for Michigan statewide offices in 2026
Michigan Democrats back Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit in AG race
Former Michigan GOP candidate Tudor Dixon leads new multimillion-dollar PAC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising