Karen McDonald
An experienced fighter committed to doing the most good
Karen McDonald is a prosecutor and a mother running for Michigan attorney general, taking on a critical fight with enormous implications for the people of this swing state and beyond. As Oakland County prosecutor, she made history by filing the first criminal charges in the nation against the parents of a mass school shooter — a courageous decision that showed her willingness to take on powerful interests and confront gun violence head-on. “I’m running for attorney general because I’m someone who has always been drawn to doing the most good,” Karen said. “Right now, our state is facing major threats on everything from public safety to the rule of law. From gun violence and human trafficking, to threats to our fundamental freedoms and federal overreach — the stakes have never been higher. Michigan needs an attorney general ready to take on these tough fights, protect our freedoms, uphold the law, and keep our communities safe. It’s what I’ve done my whole life, as a prosecutor, as a judge, a teacher, and a mom, and it’s what I’ll do as attorney general.”
A must-win fight for election security and Michiganders’ rights
Attorneys general have been front and center to opposing Trump and are key to shoring our state centers of power. Their importance has only increased: Now that the Supreme Court has sharply curtailed the ability of federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions, the only Americans who have legal recourse against the Trump administration’s illegal actions are those in states with strong Democratic attorneys general who sign on to lawsuits protecting them. This office is currently held by term-limited Democrat Dana Nessel, who was key to fighting back against Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election result in Michigan.
The stakes for election security couldn’t be higher: the top two Republican candidates are Matt DePerno, who is currently facing felony charges in an alleged scheme to tamper with election equipment during the 2020 election, and Kevin Kijewski, who has represented one of the “false electors” charged with attempting to submit a slate of 2020 electoral votes for Donald Trump. We cannot let them take control of this office in advance of the 2028 elections after coming shockingly close to overturning the election results in Michigan in 2020 — and Karen is ready to fight back and win. Polling shows her with an edge over both DePerno and Kijewski, and she is the clear frontrunner heading into Michigan Democrats’ nominating convention. Michigan families can count on her to be their fiercest advocate, and to never back down from doing what’s right.
A champion for Michigan working families
Karen began her career as a high school English teacher in Midland, Michigan, and found her calling advocating for kids, helping families, and believing in second chances. She was a proud member of the Michigan Education Association and saw firsthand how organized labor protects and empowers working people. Seeking to make a greater impact, she went on to law school. Later, as a civil and family law attorney in private practice, Karen continued to stand up for families — all while raising children of her own. In 2012, Karen was elected to the Oakland County Circuit Court, where she served as a family court judge for seven years. She handled some of the toughest cases — child abuse, custody battles, and juvenile matters — always bringing compassion, fairness, and a deep understanding of the people behind the paperwork. Elected Oakland County prosecutor in 2020, Karen brought that same approach to the entire criminal justice system. “Michigan voters are hungry for a candidate who has been willing to take on tough fights, will fight to protect our freedoms, uphold the law and keep our communities safe,” Karen said. With everything on the line, Republicans will come at Karen with everything they’ve got — and the EMILYs List community has the opportunity to help her fight back and win.