Michigan AG race: Savit and Lloyd clash over utility rates and data centers

Key points

• Eli Savit (D) and Doug Lloyd (R) are competing for Michigan’s attorney general seat, with Savit leading in internal polls by a narrow margin.
• Savit pledges to aggressively challenge utility rate hikes and ensure data center costs are not passed to ratepayers, continuing the work of outgoing AG Dana Nessel.
• Lloyd criticizes Nessel for politicizing the office through frequent lawsuits, arguing for a more traditional approach to criminal justice and regulation.
• The race has drawn significant corporate and big-dollar donor attention, with both parties reporting record contributions due to the AG’s growing influence in energy, tech, and healthcare sectors.
• Savit has pledged not to accept contributions from utilities, while Lloyd’s campaign did not respond to interview requests from POLITICO.

Background

The 2026 Michigan attorney general race is part of a broader trend of state AGs becoming key players in challenging federal policies and corporate practices. The current AG, Dana Nessel, has been active in challenging utility rate hikes, data center expansion plans, and federal efforts to keep aging coal plants running. The race is also influenced by the broader political environment, including the intense Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers, which has dominated Michigan’s political media landscape. The AG’s role in energy, tech, and healthcare sectors has made the race particularly significant for businesses and policymakers.

How outlets are covering it

POLITICO emphasizes the race’s implications for energy policy, utility rates, and data center regulations, highlighting the growing influence of state AGs in these sectors. The Detroit Free Press focuses on comparing the prosecution records of Savit and Lloyd, noting that no simple comparisons are possible due to differences in their offices’ work and staffing. Axios provides a broader voter guide, including the secretary of state race, and notes that both offices are open due to term limits. The Mining Journal highlights Savit’s campaign in the Upper Peninsula, focusing on cost of living, healthcare access, and environmental issues like PFAS contamination. Each outlet emphasizes different aspects of the race, reflecting the diverse interests and concerns of Michigan voters and stakeholders.

Why it matters

The outcome of the Michigan attorney general race could significantly impact energy policy, utility rates, and data center regulations in the state. The AG’s ability to challenge rate hikes and corporate practices makes the office a key player in shaping the state’s economic and regulatory landscape. The race also reflects broader trends in the growing influence of state AGs in challenging federal policies and corporate practices, with implications for businesses and policymakers across the country.

What to watch

The Michigan attorney general election will take place on November 3, 2026. The outcome will determine who succeeds Dana Nessel as the state’s top legal officer, with significant implications for energy policy, utility rates, and data center regulations. The race is expected to remain tight, with both candidates actively campaigning and drawing national attention. The result could also influence the broader political landscape in Michigan, including the Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers.