Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Karen McDonald came out on top in the race for Oakland County Prosecutor. McDonald won 57 percent of the vote against Republican challenger Lin Goetz.
McDonald beat out incumbent Jessica Cooper — the first Democrat elected to the position in 40 years — in an August primary. Cooper had served as prosecutor since 2011. McDonald's win was part of Oakland County's very own blue wave. Democrats there were triumphant in races for county executive (Dave Coulter), clerk and register of deeds (Lisa Brown), treasurer (Robert Wittenberg) and water resources commissioner (Jim Nash). Sheriff Michael Bouchard was the lone Republican elected. Former Vice President Joe Biden also handily carried the county.
McDonald had been endorsed by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who easily won reelection, as well as by Lt. Gov. Garland Gilchrist and the Detroit Free Press, among others.
"As prosecutor, I can serve the community in a more active role," McDonald said in announcing her candidacy last year. "As a judge, you're limited for what you can do for children, families and victims. My true passion lies in helping victims. Ask anyone who's appeared in front of me [in court] and they will tell you that."
McDonald was in the middle of her second six-year term as a circuit court judge when she stepped down to run for prosecutor.
