The 2022 Michigan Attorney General election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Attorney General of the state of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel ran for re-election to a second term. She was first elected in 2018 with 49.0% of the vote.[1]
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   Nessel: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% DePerno: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Tie: | |||||||||||||||||
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Michigan does not hold partisan primaries for statewide offices other than governor. Instead, the state parties hold conventions in August to nominate candidates for the general election. Party nomination conventions were held on April 9 for the Michigan Democratic Party and April 23 for the Michigan Republican Party.[2][3][4]
In August 2022, Reuters reported that presumptive Republican nominee Matthew DePerno "led a team that gained unauthorized access to voting equipment while hunting for evidence to support former President Donald Trump’s false election-fraud claims" following the 2020 election. Gaining unauthorized access to voting machines is a felony in Michigan. Current Michigan Attorney General Nessel requested the appointment of an independent specialist prosecutor to investigate DePerno and his team.[5] DePerno and former state representative Daire Rendon were indicted by a grand jury on August 1, 2023.[6] In contrast, during his campaign, DePerno criticized Nessel, as well as Governor Gretchen Whitmer, for their policies during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and accused Nessel of abusing her powers to silence her political rivals and of attacking the First Amendment, arguing her aforementioned appointing of an independent special prosecutor to investigate DePerno's unauthorized election investigation was one of these attacks.[7]
This election marked the first time since 1998 that Democrats had won consecutively, and the first since 1994 that an incumbent Democrat had won re-election. It was also the best performance by a Democrat since 1998, and the worst performance by a Republican since 2002.
Democratic Party
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Dana Nessel, incumbent attorney general[8]
Endorsements
editDana Nessel
Republican Party
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Matthew DePerno, private attorney (endorsed by state party)[13]
Eliminated at convention
edit- Ryan Berman, state representative from the 39th district[14]
- Tom Leonard, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and nominee in 2018[15]
Endorsements
editMatthew DePerno
U.S. Executive Branch officials
- Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)[16]
Organizations
Tom Leonard
Organizations
- Central Michigan College Republicans
- Ferris State College Republicans
- Michigan Federation of College Republicans[18]
- Right to Life of Michigan[19]
General election
editPredictions
edit| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[20] | Leans D | November 3, 2022 |
| Elections Daily[21] | Leans D | November 1, 2022 |
Endorsements
editDana Nessel (D)
U.S. Executive Branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, 19th United States Secretary of Transportation (2021–present) and Mayor of South Bend (2012–2020)[22]
- Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States (2009–2017) and U.S. Senator from Illinois (2005–2008)[23]
Organizations
- Democracy for America[24]
- Giffords[10]
- Human Rights Campaign[25]
- Michigan Democratic Party[4]
- NARAL Pro-Choice America[11]
- National Wildlife Federation[26]
Labor unions
Newspapers
Matthew DePerno (R)
U.S. Executive Branch officials
- Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)[16]
Organizations
Polling
editGraphical summary
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Dana Nessel (D) |
Matthew DePerno (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnal (R)[29] | November 1–4, 2022 | 1,603 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 48% | 44% | 3%[b] | 6% |
| Mitchell Research[30] | November 3, 2022 | 658 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 47% | 44% | 1%[c] | 8% |
| Cygnal (R)[31] | October 31 – November 2, 2022 | 1,754 (LV) | ± 2.3% | 47% | 43% | 3%[d] | 7% |
| EPIC-MRA[32] | October 28 – November 1, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 48% | 42% | 3%[e] | 7% |
| Cygnal (R)[33] | October 27–31, 2022 | 1,584 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 47% | 42% | 3%[f] | 8% |
| Cygnal (R)[34] | October 25–29, 2022 | 1,543 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 47% | 41% | 4%[g] | 8% |
| The Glengariff Group, Inc.[35] | October 26–28, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 44% | 43% | 5% | 8% |
| Cygnal (R)[36] | October 23–27, 2022 | 1,822 (LV) | ± 2.3% | 46% | 42% | 4%[h] | 8% |
| Cygnal (R)[37] | October 21–25, 2022 | 1,378 (LV) | ± 2.6% | 46% | 43% | 4%[i] | 7% |
| Cygnal (R)[38] | October 19–23, 2022 | 1,459 (LV) | ± 2.6% | 45% | 43% | 3%[j] | 8% |
| Cygnal (R)[39] | October 17–21, 2022 | 1,904 (LV) | ± 2.3% | 45% | 42% | 4%[k] | 9% |
| Mitchell Research[40] | October 19, 2022 | 541 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 46% | 43% | 3%[l] | 8% |
| Cygnal (R)[41] | October 15–19, 2022 | 1,793 (LV) | ± 2.3% | 45% | 43% | 4%[m] | 9% |
| Cygnal (R)[42][A] | October 12–14, 2022 | 640 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 45% | 43% | 3%[n] | 8% |
| EPIC-MRA[43] | October 6–12, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 43% | 39% | 4%[o] | 14% |
| The Glengariff Group, Inc.[44] | September 26–29, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 43% | 30% | 7%[p] | 18% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R)[45] | September 24–28, 2022 | 1,075 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 48% | 45% | 3%[q] | 4% |
| EPIC-MRA[46][B] | September 15–19, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 48% | 39% | – | 13% |
| EPIC-MRA[47][C] | September 7–13, 2022 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 48% | 40% | 7%[r] | 5% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R)[48] | August 22–25, 2022 | 1080 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 49% | 47% | – | 4% |
| EPIC-MRA[49] | August 18–23, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 43% | 39% | – | 18% |
| The Glengariff Group, Inc.[50] | July 5–8, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 44% | 38% | – | 18% |
| Target Insyght[51] | May 26–27, 2022 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 54% | 23% | – | 23% |
| EPIC-MRA[52] | May 11–17, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 43% | 41% | – | 16% |
| ARW Strategies (R)[53][D] | April 18–20, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 41% | – | 17% |
| The Glengariff Group, Inc.[54] | January 3–7, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 44% | 34% | – | 22% |
Hypothetical polling
Dana Nessel vs. Tom Leonard
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Dana Nessel (D) |
Tom Leonard (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Glengariff Group, Inc.[54] | January 3–7, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 36% | 23% |
Fundraising
edit| Campaign finance reports as of October 23, 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate (party) | Total receipts | Total disbursements | Cash on hand |
| Matthew DePerno (R) | $1,128,796.58 | $823,888.63 | $304,907.95 |
| Dana Nessel (D) | $5,437,349.35 | $5,192,193.84 | $166,649.18 |
| Source: Michigan Department of State[55] | |||
Results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dana Nessel (incumbent) | 2,329,195 | 53.16% | +4.12% | |
| Republican | Matthew DePerno | 1,952,408 | 44.56% | −1.70% | |
| Libertarian | Joseph W. McHugh Jr. | 67,846 | 1.55% | −0.55% | |
| Constitution | Gerald T. Van Sickle | 32,431 | 0.74% | −0.18% | |
| Total votes | 4,381,880 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
By congressional district
editNessel won 8 of 13 congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican.[57]
| District | Nessel | DePerno | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 43% | 55% | Jack Bergman |
| 2nd | 39% | 58% | John Moolenaar |
| 3rd | 55% | 43% | Peter Meijer (117th Congress) |
| Hillary Scholten (118th Congress) | |||
| 4th | 48% | 49% | Bill Huizenga |
| 5th | 39% | 58% | Tim Walberg |
| 6th | 66% | 33% | Debbie Dingell |
| 7th | 53% | 45% | Elissa Slotkin |
| 8th | 54% | 44% | Dan Kildee |
| 9th | 39% | 58% | Lisa McClain |
| 10th | 54% | 44% | John James |
| 11th | 63% | 35% | Haley Stevens |
| 12th | 74% | 24% | Rashida Tlaib |
| 13th | 75% | 22% | Shri Thanedar |
Notes
edit- ^ a b Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
- ^ "Another candidate" with 1%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
- ^ McHugh (L) with 2%; Van Sickle (UTP) with 1%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 4%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 4%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 4%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 4%
- ^ "Another candidate" with 3%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 4%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
- ^ McHugh (L) with 2%; Van Sickle (UTP) with 1%
- ^ McHuge with 4%; "Refused to answer" and Sickle with 2%; Hogan
- ^ "Other" with 3%
- ^ "Third party candidate" with 7%
Partisan clients
- ^ This poll was sponsored by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters
- ^ Poll conducted for WJRT-TV and the Detroit Free Press.
- ^ Poll conducted for MIRS, Governmental Consultant Services Inc., and the Life Insurance Association of Michigan.
- ^ Poll sponsored by DePerno's campaign
References
edit- ^ "2018 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/06/2018".
- ^ "2022 Election Dates Booklet" (PDF). Michigan Secretary of State. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ Mauger, Craig (August 16, 2021). "Michigan GOP sets early convention, declines vote by hand count". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c White, Rose (April 9, 2022). "Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, others snag endorsements from the Michigan Democratic Party". www.mlive.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ Layne, Nathan (August 8, 2022). "Exclusive: Trump-backed Michigan attorney general candidate involved in voting-system breach, documents show". Reuters. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Jordyn Hermani; Simon Schuster (August 1, 2023). "DePerno, Rendon charged for role in Michigan tabulator probe". MLive.
- ^ "Matthew DePerno for Attorney General". November 4, 2022. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Prominent 2020 Election Critic Announces Run for Michigan AG". The State AG Report. July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Democracy for America : Our Candidates". Democracy for America. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ a b "Giffords Endorses Five Gun Safety Champion Attorneys General". Giffords. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ a b "NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Reproductive Freedom Champions for Attorney General in Colorado, Michigan, and Wisconsin" (25 January 2022). www.prochoiceamerica.org. NARAL Pro-Choice America. January 25, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Sutton, Dana (January 25, 2022). "AFT Michigan Endorses Whitmer, Benson and Nessel in 2022 Midterms". AFT Michigan. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ Burns, Gus (July 15, 2021). "Attorney accused of pushing false election fraud claims wants to be Michigan's next attorney general". mlive.com.
- ^ Mauger, Craig (August 11, 2021). "Michigan Rep. Ryan Berman announces campaign for attorney general". The Detroit News.
- ^ "Former GOP House Speaker Tom Leonard to make second bid for state attorney general". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ a b LaBlanc, Beth; Mauger, Craig (September 16, 2021). "Trump endorses election challenger DePerno for Michigan attorney general". The Detroit News.
- ^ a b Mauger, Craig (April 23, 2022). "AFT DePerno wins GOP attorney general race after runoff; Karamo wins SOS endorsement". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "The MFCR is proud to endorse Tom Leonard for Michigan Attorney General because he has what it takes to defeat Dana Nessel in November".
- ^ Mauger, Craig (December 13, 2021). "Right to Life issues early endorsement for Michigan attorney general". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "Secretary of State and Attorney General: What to Watch for Next Week in Key Statewide Contests". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ Solomon, Zack (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Secretary of State Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ "Pete Buttigieg 1-on-1 talks about his support for Gov Whitmer on campaign trial". November 4, 2022.
- ^ "Obama rallies with Michigan Dems, boosting Whitmer and mocking Dixon". October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Our Candidates". democracyforamerica.com. Democracy for America.
- ^ "Human Rights Campaign Endorses Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for Reelection". Human Rights Campaign. August 26, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ Saccone, Mike (July 12, 2022). "National Wildlife Federation Action Fund Endorses Whitmer, Nessel, Benson for Re-Election". National Wildlife Federation.
- ^ "Here are all Detroit Free Press endorsements for 2022 general election". Detroit Free Press. October 19, 2022. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ "From the Daily: Endorsements for the 2022 Michigan midterms". November 2022.
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Mitchell Research
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ EPIC-MRA
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ The Glengariff Group, Inc.
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Mitchell Research
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ EPIC-MRA
- ^ The Glengariff Group, Inc.
- ^ The Trafalgar Group (R)
- ^ EPIC-MRA
- ^ EPIC-MRA
- ^ The Trafalgar Group (R)
- ^ EPIC-MRA
- ^ The Glengariff Group, Inc.
- ^ Target Insyght
- ^ EPIC-MRA
- ^ ARW Strategies (R)
- ^ a b The Glengariff Group, Inc.
- ^ "Campaign finance data". Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Election Results.
- ^ "DRA 2020". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved November 5, 2024.