STATE SEAL OF APPROVAL

Former Oakland Circuit Court Judge Karen McDonald, running in next year’s Democratic primary to unseat Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper, picked up a possible big boost when Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) announced her endorsement in early October. “Karen McDonald will be the effective, smart prosecutor Oakland County needs. She understands the need for common-sense criminal justice reform. I’m proud to endorse her as the Democrat for Oakland County Prosecutor,” Nessel said. Some Democrats are perplexed by the early seal of approval, considering most fellow party members abstain from endorsements until after a primary. Some in the prosecutor’s office are perplexed by Nessel’s endorsement, with one stating, “I’m not aware of any animus between her and prosecutor Cooper.” McDonald, who told Oakland Confidential she is a progressive who is running because “this prosecutor does not believe in drug courts and because of juvenile lifers,” has had fundraisers hosted by former assistant prosecutors, bankruptcy attorneys, and legal stalwarts such as Ira Jaffe of Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss.