MHA RACE OF THE WEEK
The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races and ballot questions for Election 2022. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they need to make informed decisions on Election Day, including candidates’ views and background.
MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL:
Incumbent Democrat Dana Nessel is a former Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor and civil rights attorney. As Attorney General, Nessel pursued the financial settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors which will eventually bring more than $700 million to Michigan to treat and combat opioid addiction. The Attorney General is also actively working on implementing the Clean Slate Act of 2021, which expands on the types and numbers of offenses that can be expunged from a person’s record allowing for more opportunities for education and employment. The Attorney General’s role in the expungement is to determine whether an applicant is statutorily eligible to have the conviction(s) expunged from their record.
Prior to elected office, Nessel served as president of the Fair Michigan Foundation, an organization dedicated to advocacy, education and outreach regarding LGBTQ and men’s and women’s civil rights in Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School and litigated several major LGBTQ rights cases before the Michigan Supreme Court before being elected. For more information, visit dananessel.com.
Republican Matthew DePerno is a tax attorney and conservative activist. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Detroit Mercy School of Law. DePerno is most widely known for his claims of fraud in the 2020 election and subsequent attempts to obtain voting machines and initiate a forensic audit. Those efforts are currently under investigation but remain the core message behind his campaign. For more information, visit depernoformi.com.
WHY IT MATTERS
The state’s attorney general serves as Michigan’s top legal adviser and law enforcement official. In addition to overseeing a staff of state attorneys, the attorney general prosecutes violations of state law and issues legal opinions to the Legislature and state government, which can result in changes to public policies and legislation in all areas of state government, including healthcare. The attorney general also serves as a consumer advocate for Michigan residents and often guides public policy decisions when it comes to law enforcement efforts.
For more election information and updates or to request Election 2022 informational materials, visit the MHA Election webpage or email election@mha.org. Join the MHA in talking about Election 2022 on social media using #MIVoteMatters.