William Noakes
William Noakes
Michigan Democratic Attorney General nominee?
$32.6K
APR 20, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleAttorney
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationMichigan
BackgroundAttorney
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EducationUniversity of Chicago (A.M., Public Policy Studies)
Notable personal detailsWilliam “Bill” Noakes is a Michigan attorney and public defender who has run for Michigan attorney general as a Democrat, including in 2018 and again in the 2026 cycle. He has worked in criminal defense and has been described as a longtime public defender in Detroit and a law professor. He has also been reported to have worked in corporate legal roles, including at General Motors, and has taught at institutions including the University of Chicago Law School and the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Immigration & Border
Supports liberalizing U.S. immigration law and establishing pathways to legal status and citizenship for undocumented residents; frames undocumented migration as victimless and emphasizes compassion in immigration policy.
Climate & Energy
Has spoken about pursuing cleanup and accountability for local pollution (e.g., former military sites and corporate contamination) and focusing on enforcement actions rather than articulating specific statewide climate or energy policy goals. Public statements emphasize remediation and legal actions against polluters but do not endorse large-scale climate programs or fossil-fuel phase-out targets.
News
William Noakes is in the mix for the open 2026 Michigan attorney general race, which is drawing increased attention from donors. The seat is open because current AG Dana Nessel is term-limited, and multiple candidates from both parties are competing for the nomination.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising