Michigan’s Largest Labor Union Adds to Growing Coalition including the Michigan Education Association, UA Local 85, EMILYs List, the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union, Detroit Plumbers Local 98, the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, UFCW 876, the MDP LGBT&A Caucus and More
OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH. – Karen McDonald, the Oakland County Prosecutor who has defined her career by fighting for families, kids, and public safety, announced today the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) in her campaign for Michigan Attorney General.
“The members of the UAW built the backbone of Michigan’s working class, and they know what’s at stake in this moment,” said McDonald. “Working families need an Attorney General who will protect their freedoms, defend their economic security, enforce the law fairly, and keep our communities safe. I’m deeply grateful for the UAW’s support – and I’m ready to fight for Michigan’s workers every single day.”
A Champion Rooted in Working-Class Values
“McDonald’s candidacy is grounded in her own working-class upbringing,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “Raised in Portland, Michigan, in a working class household where her father worked construction and often faced unpredictable layoffs, Karen learned early what economic insecurity looks like-and what it means when a family does everything right but still can’t get ahead. Those experiences shaped her commitment to fairness, dignity in work, and ensuring every Michigander has a real shot to succeed.”
Karen began her career as a public school educator in Midland and a proud member of the Michigan Education Association. That experience galvanized her lifelong dedication to kids, families, and the rights of working people. She carried those values into her service as an Oakland County Circuit Court Judge and, later, as Prosecutor-where she has led with a focus on public safety, equal justice, and gun violence prevention.
A Campaign with Unmatched Momentum
The endorsement follows a strong end-of-year push from the campaign. McDonald reported raising a record $1.1 million for her 2025 year end campaign finance report, a total that does not include a dime corporate PAC contributions. The total marks the most ever raised by a non-incumbent candidate of either party running for Attorney General at this stage of the race.
She also ended the year with strong labor endorsements including from the Michigan Education Association and Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union, following an early endorsement from EMILY’s List, UFCW Local 876, Detroit Plumbers Local Union 98 and UA Local 85.
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.
Contact: press@mcdonaldforag.com
