BIRCH RUN, Mich. — Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general Doug Lloyd says he wants to take politics out of the state’s top law enforcement office, strengthen relationships with local prosecutors and make public safety a top priority if elected.
Lloyd, the longtime Eaton County prosecutor, outlined his priorities during an interview with independent journalist Dave Bondy in Birch Run.
“Evidence first, politics last,” Lloyd said. “Your job is to represent all 10 million people.”
Lloyd has practiced law for 34 years, spending approximately three decades as a prosecutor. He has served as Eaton County’s elected prosecutor since 2013 and previously helped establish the county’s economic crime unit, which investigates financial crimes, consumer fraud and cases involving vulnerable residents.
He said his experience has shaped his belief that the attorney general’s office should focus on enforcing existing laws rather than advancing political agendas.
Lloyd Criticizes Politicization of Attorney General’s Office
Lloyd criticized the direction of the attorney general’s office over the past eight years, arguing that political considerations have influenced its priorities.
“Unfortunately, what I’ve seen during these last eight years, in my perspective, is that the office became very partisan,” Lloyd said.
He argued that the office has targeted certain individuals, organizations and businesses based on political disagreements.
“You’re not supposed to prosecute from the podium,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd said decisions about investigations and prosecutions should be based on evidence rather than political ideology.
He emphasized that the attorney general represents all Michigan residents, regardless of their political affiliation.
His criticisms reflect his assessment of the office and were not accompanied by specific examples of politically motivated prosecutions during the interview.
Public Safety and Organized Retail Crime Among Top Priorities
Lloyd said combating crime would be one of his first priorities if elected.
He pointed to what he described as support from 65 prosecutors across Michigan, dozens of sheriffs and law enforcement organizations, including the Police Officers Association of Michigan and the Fraternal Order of Police.
“A safe community leads to a vibrant community,” Lloyd said.
One area he wants to target is organized retail theft, which he argues contributes to higher prices for consumers.
Lloyd said reducing theft could help businesses control costs and potentially keep prices lower.
He also emphasized the importance of enforcing laws already passed by the Michigan Legislature.
“We have a lot of great legislators who create laws. We have a Supreme Court, even though I don’t agree with them all the time, their job is to interpret the law,” Lloyd said. “The attorney general and your local prosecutors, their job is to enforce the law.”
Lloyd Draws Contrast With Democratic Opponent Eli Savit
Lloyd also criticized his Democratic opponent, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, over his approach to criminal justice.
Lloyd accused Savit of declining to enforce certain laws involving prostitution and illegal drugs.
“He’s just going to pick and choose,” Lloyd said. “That’s not the responsibility of the attorney general.”
Lloyd argued that prosecutors should enforce laws regardless of whether they personally agree with them.
“It’s not my job to make them. It’s not my job to rewrite them. My job is to enforce them,” he said.
Lloyd said an attorney general who disagrees with a law can work with legislators to change it but should not independently decide which laws deserve enforcement.
Savit’s response to Lloyd’s criticisms was not included in the interview.
Bondy said he has reached out to Savit to request an interview and would publish that conversation if Savit agrees to participate.
Improving Relationships With Michigan’s 83 County Prosecutors
Another major priority for Lloyd is improving cooperation between the attorney general’s office and Michigan’s 83 county prosecutors.
Lloyd said he believes the office should serve as a resource for local prosecutors, particularly when they face complicated or expensive criminal cases.
He described some of those prosecutions as “budget busters” that can strain the resources of smaller counties.
Lloyd said the state should provide assistance without taking over the responsibilities of local prosecutors.
“It’s the responsibility to work with all 83 prosecutors,” Lloyd said. “And that’s what I want to see happen, because I haven’t seen it happen over the last eight years.”
He argued that stronger partnerships among prosecutors, law enforcement and businesses could help create safer communities and improve Michigan’s economic outlook.
Campaign Says It Has Visited All 83 Michigan Counties
Lloyd said his campaign has traveled approximately 75,000 miles over the past 14 months, visiting all 83 Michigan counties.
He said those visits have allowed him to hear directly from residents about the issues affecting their communities.
Lloyd, who was born and raised in Las Vegas before moving to Michigan for law school, has lived in Eaton County for decades with his wife, a former longtime Ingham County assistant prosecutor. The couple raised their two sons there.
He said his goal is to restore public confidence in the attorney general’s office by ensuring that decisions are based on facts, evidence and the law.
Lloyd encouraged voters to learn more about his campaign through his website, DougLloyd.com.
The interview is part of Bondy’s effort to speak with candidates running for Michigan governor, attorney general and secretary of state ahead of the November election.