Michigan Attorney General Race: Eli Savit Discusses His Candidacy and Vision
As Michigan prepares for a crucial election season, the race to elect a new attorney general is heating up. With Dana Nessel, the current attorney general, reaching her term limit, new candidates are stepping forward to vie for this influential role.
Eli Savit, the current prosecuting attorney for Washtenaw County, is one such candidate. Known for his legal expertise, Savit has previously worked as a clerk for Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and served as senior legal counsel for Detroit.
In a conversation with Morning Edition‘s Caoilinn Goss, Savit shared insights into his decision to run for attorney general and his plans if elected.
Motivation to Run
Eli Savit revealed that his decision to run was solidified after reading Project 2025. “I saw in that document a legal blueprint for dismantling so much of what I care about in American democracy,” he noted, highlighting the role of state attorneys general in safeguarding civil rights, voting rights, and environmental laws.
Experience and Preparedness
Savit believes his background equips him for the attorney general role. At the city level, he led lawsuits against major entities like Big Pharma and recovered significant funds for Detroit Public Schools. As Washtenaw County prosecutor, he initiated programs to address sexual assault cases.
Key Priorities
Addressing the challenges in democracy, Savit emphasized the importance of defending voting rights and standing against unlawful federal actions. He aims to fight for Michiganders in court, especially when federal decisions threaten local interests.
Savit also aims to continue Dana Nessel’s work on sexual abuse investigations, vowing to tackle high-profile cases like those related to Jeffrey Epstein’s ties in Michigan. He plans to leverage the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to address modern issues such as AI-based price gouging.
Policy and Criticism
When questioned about his progressive policies in Washtenaw County, Savit defended his record by citing data on reduced overdose and gun deaths. He reiterated that his policies were tailored to local needs and not necessarily indicative of his statewide approach.
Addressing critiques from his opponent Doug Lloyd about sentencing decisions, Savit clarified, “Prosecutors don’t sentence people, judges sentence people,” emphasizing the separation of prosecutorial recommendations and judicial decisions.
Editor’s note: Quotes in this article have been edited for length and clarity. You can play the full audio of this interview near the top of this page.
For more detailed information about the candidates and the Michigan election, visit the Michigan Public page.
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