Mark Totten enters race for Michigan attorney general
A former federal prosecutor assigned to Western Michigan has entered the 2026 race for Michigan Attorney General.
Mark Totten made his announcement Wednesday, with a website, video and press release. He is the first major candidate to step into that race. He had previously run in 2014 as a Democrat for state attorney general, losing to Republican Bill Schuette.
Michigan's current state attorney general Dana Nessel, a Democrat, is facing term limits and is unable to run for re-election.
"Michigan needs a fearless Attorney General who will fight for justice, fairness, and the rule of law, and that's exactly what I will do," Totten said in the press release. "We are in turbulent times and need leaders determined to protect our state, our rights, and our safety."
Totten was most recently U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, leaving that role in January after having started in May 2022 as an appointee of President Joe Biden/
In that assignment, he was the chief federal law enforcement officer for 49 counties in Michigan, including the western half of the Lower Peninsula. Cases and projects handled by his office included addressing criminal organizations, seeking justice against crime rings, prosecuting public corruption and protecting civil rights.
"Right now, it feels like everything is on the line – our safety, our rights, our future," he said in his campaign video, pointing to his record in that office and the current political environment.
Previous to his federal appointment, Totten was chief legal counsel for the Michigan Governor's office from 2019 to 2022. He also taught criminal law at Michigan State University from 2009-2018.
He began his legal career at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C.
Totten received his B.A. from Cedarville College and his law degree and a Ph.D. in ethics from Yale University.
Totten and his family live in Kalamazoo.
