Impressive Statewide Coalition includes IBEW Michigan, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Pipe Trades Association, Michigan Education Association, Professional Fire Fighters Union, and More
OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH. – Karen McDonald, the Oakland County Prosecutor who has defined her career by fighting for families and kids, has been recommended by LiUNA Michigan in her campaign for Michigan Attorney General. The endorsement builds on the critical momentum Karen is building, fueled by the support of workers across the state.
“Karen grew up in a working class family, where her father worked construction. Because of her upbringing, she knows how important it is to protect workers,” Nicholas DeFauw, Business Manager for LiUNA Local 1076 in Pontiac, said. “She’s proven herself as a fighter here in Oakland County, and LiUNA is proud to support her for Michigan Attorney General.”
“LiUNA workers build Michigan, and I’ll have their back as Attorney General, whether that’s ensuring worker safety or investigating wage theft,” said McDonald. “I will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Michigan workers to enforce our labor laws, fight against unfair attacks on workers, and ensure they are always treated with respect in the workplace. I’m deeply grateful for the Laborers’ support – and I’m ready to fight for Michigan workers on day one.”
“From downstate to the UP, Karen knows workers are the backbone of our state,“ Gene Alessandrini, Jr., Business Manager for LiUNA Local 1329 in Iron Mountain, said. “As Attorney General, Karen will go to bat for working families and take on the companies committing wage and overtime theft to put money back in workers’ pockets.”
McDonald’s Momentum Continues
With just under two months until the 2026 Michigan Democratic Party Nominating State Convention, Karen continues to gain support from organizations across the state. The coalition is built on labor, with endorsements from the UAW, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Michigan, the Michigan Pipe Trades Association, the Michigan AFL-CIO, Iron Workers Local 25, the United Steelworkers (USW) – District 1, and numerous other unions.
About Karen McDonald: Karen was elected Oakland County Prosecutor in 2020 and is committed to protecting victims of crime, improving outcomes for juveniles and families, and increasing fairness across the criminal justice system. Karen’s early initiatives have included reviewing the files of every pending juvenile lifer case in Oakland County, and establishing a Trafficking Unit, a Hate Crimes Unit, and a Conviction Integrity Unit. Prior to her election as Oakland County Prosecutor, Karen was an Oakland County Circuit Court judge from 2012 to 2019. As a judge, Karen specialized in family matters – including divorce and custody, child abuse and neglect, and adoption.
Karen began her career as a high school English educator in Midland where she was a proud union member. Her experience teaching sparked her lifelong commitment to kids and their families. Karen was raised in Portland, Michigan, alongside her two sisters. She now lives in Birmingham with her husband. Together, they raised five children.
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February 20, 2026
Contact: Olivia Bradish
press@mcdonaldforag.com
