Welcome to the 2026 voter guide for Michigan's Aug. 4 primary election. The voter guide ‒ separate from the Detroit Free Press' news coverage and the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board's endorsements ‒ offers candidates the chance to communicate with voters in their own words. We remove entries that include false or unverifiable statements, personal attacks on other candidates or foul language, but responses are otherwise unedited.
Find Democratic AG candidate Eli Savit's questionnaire responses here, or visit our Voter Guide.
Doug Lloyd
Candidate for Michigan Attorney General - Democrat
Age: 60
What is your current occupation? Please share any other work experience relevant to the role you are seeking.
Eaton County Prosecutor
Do you have previous political experience? If yes, please describe.
I have been the elected Eaton County Prosecutor since 2013.
What do you believe are the three most important responsibilities of Michigan’s attorney general, and how would you prioritize them?
The Attorney General is Michigan's chief law enforcement officer and top lawyer. My three priorities would be public safety, protecting
Michigan residents from fraud and unlawful conduct, and defending the legal interests of the state.
First, I would focus on violent crime, organized crime, human trafficking, fraud and other threats to public safety. Second, I would aggressively protect consumers and hold accountable those who violate Michigan law. Third, I would ensure Michigan has strong legal representation in court and that the state government receives sound legal counsel.
The common thread is simple: enforce the law fairly, consistently and without regard to partisan politics.
What is one thing the current attorney general's office does well that you would continue, and one thing you would change?
The Attorney General's Office has talented attorneys, investigators and staff with significant expertise. I would continue that work, particularly its efforts to protect consumers and prosecute those who commit serious crimes.
I would change the emphasis of the office. The Attorney General should be Michigan's lawyer and chief law enforcement officer, not a partisan political figure. I would place greater emphasis on public safety, supporting local prosecutors and law enforcement, protecting consumers and aggressively enforcing Michigan law.
The office should be measured by the results it delivers for Michigan residents, not by how closely it aligns with either political party.
In 2022, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights. Will you enforce and defend those rights?
Yes. The Michigan Constitution is the law, and the Attorney General has a responsibility to enforce and defend it.
Michigan voters approved Proposal 3 in 2022, establishing a constitutional right to reproductive freedom. That provision protects decisions relating to pregnancy, including prenatal care, childbirth, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management and infertility care.
As Attorney General, I would enforce the Constitution as written and defend Michigan's constitutional rights when they are challenged. My personal views would not determine which constitutional provisions the office enforces. The law would. As a prosecutor, I have never adopted blanket policies refusing to enforce laws based on my personal policy preferences. I believe the Attorney General should apply that same principle statewide.
The federal government has weakened the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Protection Bureau. As Michigan's top consumer advocate, what will you do to protect Michigan consumers who are scammed, price gouged or otherwise taken advantage of? Do you support strengthening Michigan’s consumer protection laws? If so, what changes would you seek?
The Attorney General should aggressively enforce Michigan's consumer protection laws, regardless of what happens at the federal level.
I would focus resources on scams and fraud that harm Michigan families, including financial scams, identity theft, deceptive business practices, price gouging and fraud targeting seniors and other vulnerable residents. The Attorney General already has significant authority to investigate and pursue unfair and deceptive practices.
This is personal to me. My family and I were victims of fraud and it has made me even more passionate about protecting consumers. I don’t want any other Michigan family to go through what mine has gone through.
What role should the attorney general play in protecting the Great Lakes, drinking water and Michigan's environment?
Michigan's natural resources are among its greatest assets, and the Attorney General has an important role in protecting them by enforcing Michigan's environmental laws.
As Attorney General, I would hold accountable individuals and companies that violate environmental laws, protect Michigan's drinking water and Great Lakes, and pursue appropriate legal action when pollution or other unlawful conduct threatens our natural resources.
I would work with state agencies, local governments, prosecutors and federal authorities when appropriate. Protecting Michigan's environment should not be a partisan issue. The standard should be straightforward: enforce the law, protect our natural resources and hold violators accountable.
What should the attorney general do to address voter intimidation, election-related misinformation and attempts to interfere with the administration of elections?
The Attorney General should enforce Michigan's election laws and prosecute criminal conduct that threatens voters or interferes with the administration of elections.
That includes voter intimidation, threats, fraud, unlawful interference with voting and other criminal conduct. The Attorney General should work closely with the Secretary of State, local prosecutors and law enforcement to ensure violations are investigated and prosecuted.
At the same time, the Attorney General must respect the First Amendment. Political speech, including speech that is inaccurate or unpopular, is not automatically criminal. The focus should be on unlawful conduct, protecting voters and ensuring elections are administered according to Michigan law.
Michigan utility companies have some of the highest rates and lowest performance metrics of any energy providers in the country. Many people are making sacrifices on medication or other essential goods and services just to pay their gas or electric bills. How will you evaluate and, if merited, oppose the utility companies' rate increase requests?
Michigan families deserve reliable utility service at a reasonable cost. As Attorney General, I would ensure Michigan ratepayers have a strong advocate in every major utility rate case.
The Michigan Public Service Commission sets rates for regulated utilities. The Attorney General can intervene, scrutinize proposed costs, present evidence and challenge expenses that are not reasonable or supported by the evidence.
I would examine proposed investments, operating expenses, executive compensation, reliability spending and other costs. If a utility cannot justify a requested increase on consumers, I would oppose it before the Commission. At the same time, legitimate investments needed for safety and reliability should be recognized.
The Trump administration has undertaken dozens of actions, either via the president's executive orders or federal agency policies, that the courts have ruled infringe on the rights of Michigan residents. What do you plan to do, or not do, to protect Michiganders?
The Attorney General has a duty to protect Michigan's legal interests and the rights guaranteed by the U.S. and Michigan constitutions.
If the federal government takes action that exceeds its legal authority, violates the Constitution or federal law, or unlawfully harms Michigan residents, I would not hesitate to challenge it in court. But I would not sue simply because I disagree with a president or federal policy.
The standard should be the same regardless of who occupies the White House: follow the Constitution, enforce the law and protect Michigan's interests. The Attorney General should be willing to challenge either party when the law requires it and should respect federal authority when the law supports it.
A measure to call a state Constitutional Convention is on this year's ballot. Do you plan to vote in favor of a con-con?
No
How to vote
Local clerks mailed absentee ballots to Michigan voters Sept. 24. Registered voters may cast ballots early, in person, across the state from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 ‒ check with your local clerk for your city's early voting start date, location of early voting sites and absentee ballot dropboxes. And, of course, you can vote ‒ and register to vote ‒ in person on Nov. 3, Election Day.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where MI attorney general candidate Doug Lloyd stands on abortion rights, utility rates, more
