NOMINATION BUZZ SAW

In less than three months state Democrats will convene to determine the fate of who will represent the party in the 2026 elections for a number of offices, among them the attorney general slot on the ballot. Three attorneys are vying for the party nomination: Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney Karen McDonald, former Western Michigan District U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and Eli Savit, Washtenaw Prosecuting Attorney. Thanks to the work of Detroit Free Press reporter Tresa Baldas, we now learn the details of a formal complaint filed against McDonald for her handling of the prosecution of the members of the Crumbley family (parents and son) for the deaths of four students in the Oxford High School mass shooting, which some say could well tip the convention nomination on April 19. The formal complaint was filed by Nancy J. Diehl, a former president of the Michigan Bar Association whose resume includes time served on the Judicial Tenure Commission and close to 30 years as Wayne County Prosecutor. The gist of the complaint: McDonald violated both court and professional rules to gain “fame” for herself, which influenced pre-trial publicity through the use of a public relations firm, withholding evidence from the defense and allowing a television firm access to office machinations while a gag order had been placed on those involved in the trial. McDonald’s office reportedly dismissed the complaint as a “political attack.” While she has time as an Oakland County Circuit Court Judge and some overdue and welcomed changes in her office on her side, McDonald has two worthy opponents for the nomination. In particular, Savit from Washtenaw County who has matched, if not surpassed, her by introducing changes to his office but also has a track record of legal involvement, aside from his current position, on women’s reproductive health rights, LGBTQ+ issues and environmental concerns. This nomination fight should prove a highlight of the convention.

Karen McDonald

Mark Totten

Eli Savit