Incumbent
Michigan Democratic Attorney General nominee?
$32.6K
APR 20, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleOther
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationMichigan
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BackgroundLawyer
EducationAlma College — B.A. (English and political science)
Notable personal detailsKaren Diane McDonald is an American lawyer and politician serving as Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney (elected 2020; took office 2021) and a former Oakland County Circuit Court judge (elected 2012; re-elected 2018). She previously worked as a high school English teacher and later as an assistant prosecuting attorney and private-practice attorney focused on civil and family law. She is a Democratic candidate for Michigan Attorney General in the 2026 election cycle.
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 as a Democratic candidate in Michigan’s open 2026 attorney general race, which is drawing heightened donor and political attention. The seat is opening because current AG Dana Nessel is term-limited, and multiple candidates from both parties are competing for the nomination and the office.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising