LANSING – Democratic candidate and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit won Michigan’s attorney general race, defeating Republican opponent Doug Lloyd by a comfortable margin.

Savit received 52.5 percent of the vote, approximately 2.46 million votes, compared with 44.8 percent for Lloyd, who serves as Eaton County prosecutor.

The victory keeps Michigan’s top law enforcement office under Democratic control. Savit, a University of Michigan Law School graduate, will succeed Attorney General Dana Nessel, who could not seek reelection because of constitutional term limits.

Both Savit and Nessel are of Jewish descent.

“Thank you, Michigan. I look forward to getting to work for you,” Savit wrote in a victory statement posted on X.

At a Detroit news conference the following day, Savit said his 18-month campaign was built on conversations with young people and college students. He pledged to serve the public interest without favoring the powerful or discriminating among residents.

Emphasizing his campaign’s grassroots foundation, Savit promised to be “the people’s lawyer” and renewed his commitment to protecting reproductive freedom, defending women’s rights and confronting predatory business practices.

In a statement, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said Savit had “dedicated his career to standing up to powerful people and institutions that exploit others.”

“Whether it is a company exploiting workers, someone abusing their authority or an administration violating our rights, Eli never backs down,” Hertel added.

Lloyd conceded in a statement posted on X, congratulating Savit on what he described as “a hard-fought victory.”

“For me, my focus remains unchanged: serving and protecting the people of Michigan and the citizens of Eaton County,” Lloyd said.