Karen McDonald sounds off state Democratic Party, needs clearer understanding of where party is heading

Published July 21, 2026 5:41 PM EDT

The Oakland County Prosecutor sounded off on the Michigan Democratic Party after her failed bid for state attorney general. 

Karen McDonald also declined to say whether she would support the current nomine, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, for office. The progressive-branded candidate earned the party's nomination for state attorney general in April.

"You know, I think your vote should be private, and I think there's a lot of things that are unknown between now and November. I think after the primaries, I would like to have a clearer understanding of where the Michigan Democratic Party is headed," she said.

McDonald also took aim at the direction that the state party took after the convention, saying the organization has never been so divided.

"I have never seen more extremism, I have never seen what I saw at the convention, which a lot of Democrats don't want to talk about. It was hate, it was bullying, it made people afraid, especially people in the Jewish community," she said.

Michigan Democrat's progressive turn

The backstory:

The pivot made by Michigan Democrats in nominating more progressive candidates for state offices was the beginning of a growing trend of politics in the state.

Many saw the leftward direction as a sign that Michigan needs to overhaul its primary system.

Delegates pick the candidates for statewide office, like attorney general and secretary of state — not the voters.

The Source: Karen McDonald was cited for this story. 

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