PUT UP YOUR DUKES

It appears there is no love lost between Democratic attorney general candidates Karen McDonald, the current Oakland County Prosecutor, and Eli Savit, Washtenaw County Prosecutor. McDonald gained national notoriety and cred among many voters for her fervent and successful prosecution of the Oxford school shooter’s parents, apparently leaving Savit scrabbling for attention. It seems in January, Savit’s camp sent out a campaign mailer, followed by those beloved text messages to voters across Michigan, alleging McDonald accepted $80,000 to review a murder conviction from 2023. She promptly filed a defamation suit against Lakeshore Leaders Fund, the Michigan-based PAC associated with the text messages and social media postings. A stipulated judgement between the parties was reached in early February, with the PAC agreeing to admit the information they disseminated was defamatory and to pay $7,500 in damages. Savit’s campaign alleged a member of the campaign – the treasurer – was fired over the incident but continued the attacks on McDonald, telling The Detroit News, “Although neither our campaign nor Eli himself had anything to do with the mailer, Prosecutor McDonald’s decision to file a lawsuit in response to political speech calls into question her commitment to our First Amendment,” Savit’s campaign manager Christy Jensen said in a statement. With the lawsuit in her rear view mirror, McDonald is looking ahead. “Becoming Michigan’s next Attorney General requires transparency, accountability and strong leadership. I am laser-focused on listening to everyday Michiganders about the issues they face and how I can do more good as Attorney General.” It’ll all be decided by party convention-goers April 19.

Karen McDonald