The 2018 Michigan Attorney General election took place on November 6, 2018, alongside elections to elect Michigan's governor, Class I United States Senator, Secretary of State, Michigan's 14 seats in the United States House of Representatives, all 38 seats in the Michigan Senate, and all 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette was prohibited from seeking a third term due to term limits, and unsuccessfully ran for governor of Michigan instead. The Michigan GOP was unsuccessful in winning its 5th straight attorney general election. Along with the offices of lieutenant governor and secretary of state, the nominees for attorney general were chosen by party delegates at their respective party conventions.
Nessel defeated Leonard by 115,000 votes, becoming the first Democratic attorney general of Michigan since 2003, when Jennifer Granholm left office to become governor.
Republican convention Candidates Nominee Tom Leonard, speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives
Eliminated at convention Tonya Schuitmaker, state senator
Declined Mary Beth Kelly, former associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court (2011–2015)
Democratic convention Candidates Nominee Dana Nessel, civil rights attorney
Eliminated at convention Patrick Miles Jr., former United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan (2012–2017) William Noakes, former Wayne County Deputy Corporation Counsel
Declined Steve Bieda, state senator (running for Congress) Tim Greimel, state representative and former minority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives (running for Congress) Eric Smith, Macomb County Prosecutor
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofGoverningOctober 26, 2018
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TomLeonard (R) DanaNessel (D) Other UndecidedGlengariff GroupGlengariff Group October 25–27, 2018 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 34% 45% 5% 17%EPIC-MRAEPIC-MRA October 18–23, 2018 600 (LV)± 4.0% 39% 39% 9% 13%Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University October 13–22, 2018 169 (RV) – 40% 37% – –Marketing Resource GroupMarketing Resource Group October 14–18, 2018 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 34% 39% 10% 16%Glengariff GroupGlengariff Group September 30 – October 2, 2018 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 32% 39% 6% 24%EPIC-MRAEPIC-MRA September 21–25, 2018 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 32% 38% 11% 19%Glengariff GroupGlengariff Group September 5–7, 2018 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 29% 42% 5% 24%
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of October 21, 2018Candidate (party)Total receiptsTotal disbursementsCash on handTom Leonard (R)$1,988,558.29$1,900,406.09$88,152.20Dana Nessel (D)$1,573,966.91$1,329,134.98$244,831.93Source: Michigan Department of State
Results
By congressional district Despite losing the state, Leonard won nine of 14 congressional districts, including two that elected Democrats. District Leonard Nessel Representative 56% 39%Jack Bergman 56% 39%Bill Huizenga 52% 43%Justin Amash 58% 36%John Moolenaar 44% 51%Dan Kildee 51% 44%Fred Upton 53% 42%Tim Walberg49%46%Mike BishopElissa Slotkin40%55%Sander LevinAndy Levin60%36%Paul Mitchell48.3%48.0%Dave TrottHaley Stevens 32% 64%Debbie Dingell17%79%Brenda JonesRashida Tlaib 19% 78%Brenda Lawrence
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites Tom Leonard (R) for Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) for Attorney General