Home  /  Michigan – AG

Candidate Comparisons

Dana
Nessel

vs.

Matthew
DePerno

Champion

Protect and strengthen abortion and contraception access

Opposes

Unknown Position

Fund affordable and accessible child care

Unknown Position

Supports

Strengthen paid family and medical leave

Unknown Position

Supports

Raise the minimum wage

Unknown Position

Supports

Protect women, especially women of color, and others from discrimination and harassment in the workplace

Unknown Position

Supports

Keep all children—including LGBTQI+ children—safe from discrimination

Unknown Position

Supports

Oppose censorship in school curricula

Opposes

Supports

Advance gun safety measures that keep schools free from gun violence

Opposes

Supports

Advance gun safety measures that keep schools free from gun violence

Opposes

Supports

Expand voting access

Opposes

Unknown Position

Build diverse courts that work for everyone

Unknown Position

Supports

Strengthen and expand access to maternal health care

Unknown Position

Supports

Strengthen and expand access to affordable housing

Unknown Position

Supports

Protect and expand food security

Unknown Position

Evidences/Citations

Abortion

Dana Nessel

  1. Codify the right to abortion in-state and support the creation of a nationwide right that stops abortion bans and guarantees that the right and access to abortion does not depend on where a person lives.
    1. Nessel believes that the right to abortion should be protected across state borders. Nessel shared in an interview that she believes  “If you choose to come to the state, and this is where you’re going to live and work… you don’t lose rights when you cross the borders. We consider you to be an equal and we respect the decisions you make about your bodies.” 
    2. Nessel refuses to enforce Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban. In response to two lawsuits challenging Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, Nessel released a statement saying, “Let me be very clear, I will not use the resources of my office to defend Michigan’s 1931 statute criminalizing abortion… Abortion care is an essential component of women’s health care. As this state’s top law enforcement officer, I have never wavered in my stance on this issue, and I will not prosecute women or their doctors for a personal medical decision.”
  2. Ensure that people’s access to health care is free from stigma, barriers, and restrictions, including abortion care, contraceptives, and maternal health care. 
    1.  AG Nessel supports the injunction on the Michigan abortion ban, granted by a Michigan Court of Claims judge in May 2022. Nessel called the injunction a victory, stating, “The judge acted quickly in the interest of bodily integrity and personal freedom to preserve this important right and found a likelihood of success in the state law being found unconstitutional. I have no plans to appeal and will comply with the order to provide notice to all state and local officials under my supervision.” 
    2. In 2020, Nessel voiced support for abortion access amidst anti-abortion activists’ calls for restrictions to reproductive health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a joint release with the Democratic Attorneys General Association, Nessel stated “We won’t dictate services physicians choose to perform and we won’t interfere with the doctor/patient relationship.” Ensure that people’s access to health care is free from stigma, barriers, and restrictions, including abortion care, contraceptives, and maternal health care.
  3. Make sure quality pregnancy supports are accessible, affordable, and culturally competent for all – including protections and supports that advance the maternal health of Black and Indigenous women and pregnant people in Michigan.
    1. Nessel supports legislation aimed at combatting inequity in maternal health care. Nessel joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in urging Congress to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021.
  4. Safeguard and expand access to contraception. 
    1. Nessel joined an amicus brief a challenging religious exemption for birth control coverage to employees under the Affordable Care Act. “For millions of women across this country, contraception is a critical part of their health care,” Nessel said. “The Affordable Care Act provides for this preventative care, and employers shouldn’t get to substitute their interests in place of a doctor’s professional judgment. The federal government should look for ways to support and promote women, not create barriers that affect a woman’s health and well-being.”  

Family Economic Security

Dana Nessel

  1. Make millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share of taxes.
    1. Research into this candidate has yielded no statements indicating support or opposition.
      1. Nessel has committed to ensure workers are paid their full wages and benefits they are entitled to. Nessel has launched a payroll fraud initiative, which includes establishing a Payroll Fraud Enforcement Unit, strengthening whistleblower protections for employees who report related wrongdoings, and toughening penalties against payroll fraud. 
  2. Help families with the rising cost of child care by investing in high-quality, affordable child care.
    1. Nessel supported the expanded Child Tax Credit. In July 2021, Nessel joined 23 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to permanently extend the expanded Child Tax Credit in the reconciliation package. 
  3. Establish universal paid family and medical leave. 
    1. Nessel called on corporations to provide paid sick and family leave during COVID-19. Nessel joined other attorneys general in calling on Amazon and Whole Foods to provide up to 12 weeks paid sick and family leave to their employees as required under the Families First Act. 
    2. Nessel joined other attorneys general in calling on Walmart to adopt paid leave policies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  4. Protect women, especially women of color, and others from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. 
    1. Nessel has denounced workplace harassment. In a 2017 campaign ad, Nessel said “I will not sexually harass my staff, and I won’t tolerate in your workplace either.” 
  5. Create an economy that centers women and people of color and enables them to meet their needs, including affording stable housing and food access. 
    1. Nessel supports safeguards for fair, affordable housing. Nessel joined a coalition of attorneys general in combatting banking discrimination in relation to affordable housing. 
    2. Nessel has issued consumer alerts warning of rental and housing scams. Her statement shares that the elderly and those with low incomes or poor credit are particularly vulnerable. 
    3. Nessel opposes restrictions on SNAP benefits. 
      1. In September 2020, Nessel joined 21 other attorneys general and the city of New York in a letter urging the federal government to waive certain administrative measures slowing the distribution of SNAP benefits during the pandemic. 
      2. In September 2019, Nessel joined other attorneys general in a comment letter urging the US Department of Agriculture against a proposed rule change that would revise the categorical eligibility for SNAP, causing millions to lose critical nutrition assistance.
  6. Pay workers fairly, including ensuring equal pay for all and raising the minimum wage to at least $15/hour for all working people. 
    1. Nessel supports Governor Whitmer’s executive directive barring the state from inquiring about a new employee’s salary history. Nessel said she contacted the Attorney General’s Human Resources department to comply immediately with this directive. In a written statement, Nessel said “I am so proud to be working with Gov. Whitmer and I am grateful for her swift action on pay equity. Women have been short-changed for years and it’s time we led by example.” 
    2.  Nessel defended state minimum wage protections for employees of federal contractors. Nessel joined other attorneys general in defending state minimum wage protections for employees of federal contractors. Nessel stated “I stand with my colleagues in asserting that state minimum wage laws are applicable to any entity that conducts business in a state regardless of the entity’s status as a federal contractor.” 
    3. Nessel defended protections for tipped workers. Nessel joined a coalition of nine attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging a US Department of Labor rule that sought to eliminate protections for tipped workers. 
  7. Expand food assistance programs like SNAP, school meals, and WIC 
    1. Won a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s cuts to SNAP in Michigan.
    2. Advocated for continued additional assistance during the pandemic in a Facebook post.
  8. Expand rental assistance 
    1. Nessel agrees rental assistance programs during the pandemic were important, but has not commented on expanding or continuing assistance.
  9. Improve down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers
    1. “Since its passage, the CRA has helped Michigan residents access capital for investments like mortgages and small business loans that have helped them transform their neighborhoods. However, the CRA can do more. That’s why I stand with my colleagues in asking that the rule implementing the legislation be strengthened to respond to the financial crises precipitated by COVID-19, a crisis that affects low-and-middle-income communities disproportionately,” Nessel tweeted. 

Education

Dana Nessel

  1. Support students’ ability to learn and be themselves by keeping them safe from discrimination and harassment in school.
    1. Nessel supports equitable student discipline in schools. Nessel led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in urging for the reinstatement and expansion of a 2014 guidance package designed to help schools meet their obligations under federal law to administer student discipline equitably. Nessel stated, “Current statistics prove more must be done to ensure every student – regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability – has an equitable experience in our public school system.”
  2. Oppose efforts to fuel divisions in our communities by vilifying and excluding transgender students. 
    1. Nessel ruled a requirement of sex reassignment surgery for changes to sex designation on birth certificates to be unconstitutional. “The law violates Michiganders’ most basic and fundamental protections under the Constitution,” said Nessel.  “As written, it is a tool of intolerance that treats one group of people different from the rest of us by requiring thousands of residents to undergo expensive and invasive medical procedures in order to amend their birth certificates to reflect their true identity.” 
    2. Nessel tweeted in celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility.
  3. Oppose censorship of schools’ ability to teach truth, including about race and gender and how they have been used to divide us.
    1. In 2021, Nessel quote tweeted her support of a MI representative’s speech in opposition to MI HB 5097, which sought to prohibit the promotion of race or gender stereotyping in classrooms.
    2. Nessel supports social and emotional learning and restorative practices in schools. Nessel has launched a restorative practices initiative for schools that shares guidances, toolkits, and calls out for feedback from educators on restorative practices.   
    3. After visiting a Michigan middle school, Nessel said “Educators across the state are implementing restorative practices and it’s important we recognize the success of those efforts. I look forward to visiting more schools that are focused on this approach to education.” Attorney General Dana Nessel visits Crestwood Schools (arabamericannews.com)
  4. Safeguard students’ ability to live full, dignified lives free from gun violence. 
    1. Nessel supports taking action to end gun violence in schools. She tweeted: “we must act properly to address gun violence in our schools and the ongoing threat of another unconscionable tragedy if we continue to only offer thoughts and prayers.”
    2. Nessel supports creating best practices to protect students from gun violence. In an interview following a school shooting in Oxford, Nessel said that her department planned to review current safety practices, recommended practices from the 2018 School Safety Commission, and try to learn from this experience to find out how to better protect students.
  5. Oppose discriminatory discipline policies in schools, including increased policing of students.
    1. Nessel has not commented on discriminatory practices.
  6. Ensure full funding that meets every school’s needs – including schools building safer environments by prioritizing COVID safety measures.
    1. Nessel supports COVID vaccine mandates. Nessel shared that she will not challenge the mandate because, to her, “the fastest track to normalcy is for everyone who was medically eligible to become vaccinated and to do so immediately.” 

 

Democracy

Dana Nessel

  1. Protect and expand access to the ballot and restore the Voting Rights Act.
    1. In February and August 2021, respectively, Nessel joined a coalition of attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the For the People Act, even if it means ending the filibuster.
  2. Unrig our democracy by ending corporate and PAC donations to extremist politicians who support voter suppression efforts. 
    1. have not found evidence.
  3. Ensure all voters have equal access to the ballot box and their votes are counted fairly, including expanded early voting days, language access protections for Limited English Proficient (LEP) voters, and a district map that empowers all voters. 
    1. Nessel has engaged with voters directly on how to avoid misinformation. Nessel met with members of the Saginaw community to provide tips on how to avoid misinformation in June 2022.
    2. Nessel denounced bills that would restrict voting rights. A Secretary of State news release outlined that “Senate Bills 303 and 304 would force anyone who arrives at their polling place without ID to vote a provisional ballot, which would only be counted if the voter is later able to provide proof of ID to their local clerk.” Nessel denounced the bills, saying “The bill is looking to solve a problem that doesn’t exist and instead puts forth an obstacle that asks Michigan voters to make themselves vulnerable in order to vote.” 
    3. Nessel is committed to election integrity. The Department of Attorney General pressed charges for ballot tampering in the August 2020 primary. In a statement, Nessel said “Our department remains committed to prosecuting election violations, regardless of the political party of the perpetrator.” 
    4. Nessel is committed to protecting voters from attempts to deter their vote. Nessel filed charges in October 2020 against two political operatives who attempted to suppress the vote in the November general election. Nessel stated “Any effort to interfere with, intimidate or intentionally mislead Michigan voters will be met with swift and severe consequences. This effort specifically targeted minority voters in an attempt to deter them from voting in the November election… Michigan voters are entitled to a full, free and fair election in November and my office will not hesitate to pursue those who jeopardize that.”
  4. Reshape the makeup of the judiciary by working with federal lawmakers to nominate and confirm judges with a strong record of supporting gender and racial justice issues and who affirmatively declare they will uphold equality, opportunity for all, individual liberty, and the freedom to make personal decisions about our bodies and relationships. 
    1. Nessel has not spoken on judicial nomination issues. 

 

Abortion

Matthew DePerno

  1. Codify the right to abortion in-state and support the creation of a nationwide right that stops abortion bans and guarantees that the right and access to abortion does not depend on where a person lives. 
    1. DePerno supports the overturn of Roe v. Wade. DePerno: “I am thrilled to read the opinion of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. We finally have a law that upholds the lives of all Americans – born and unborn.”
    2. DePerno opposes exceptions to abortion bans, including to save the mother’s life or in pregnancies caused by rape or incest. DePerno: “Real conservatives… understand that life begins at conception.” Roe overturned: See where Michigan governor, attorney general candidates stand | Bridge Michigan
    3. DePerno is a supporter of heartbeat bills.
  2. Ensure that people’s access to health care is free from stigma, barriers, and restrictions, including abortion care, contraceptives, and maternal health care. 
      1.  See above evidence. 
  3. Make sure quality pregnancy supports are accessible, affordable, and culturally competent for all – including protections and supports that advance the maternal health of Black and Indigenous women and pregnant people in Michigan. 
      1. Deperno has not commented on policies to provide quality pregnancy supports.
  4. Safeguard and expand access to contraception. 
      1. DePerno does not support federal protection of birth control. During a debate, DePerno said that Griswold, the Supreme Court case that first recognized a constitutional right to contraceptives, was wrongly decided and the issue should be left to the states. 
      2. DePerno believes that emergency contraception should be banned from Michigan. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in August 2022, DePerno said that the morning after pill “should be banned” and that “you have to stop it at the border. It would be no different than fentanyl.”

 

Family Economic Security

Matthew DePerno

  1. Make millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share of taxes. 
  2. Help families with the rising cost of child care by investing in high-quality, affordable child care
  3. Establish universal paid family and medical leave. 
    1. Research into this candidate has yielded no statements indicating support or opposition
  4. Protect women, especially women of color, and others from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. 
    1. Research into this candidate has yielded no statements indicating support or opposition
  5. Create an economy that centers women and people of color and enables them to meet their needs, including affording stable housing and food access.
    1. Research into this candidate has yielded no statements indicating support or opposition
  6. Pay workers fairly, including ensuring equal pay for all and raising the minimum wage to at least $15/hour for all working people. 
  7. Expand food assistance programs like SNAP, school meals, and WIC 
    1. Deperno has been silent on food security support.
  8. Expand rental assistance 
    1. Deperno has not commented on rental assistance programs.
  9. Improve down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers 
    1. Deperno has not commented on down payment assistance programs.
  10. Expand refundable tax credits 
    1. Deperno has not commented on refundable tax credits.

Education

Matthew DePerno

  1. Support students’ ability to learn and be themselves by keeping them safe from discrimination and harassment in school. 
  2. Oppose efforts to fuel divisions in our communities by vilifying and excluding transgender students. 
  3. Oppose censorship of schools’ ability to teach truth, including about race and gender and how they have been used to divide us. 
    1. DePerno commits to issuing an opinion declaring CRT unconstitutional and banning the concept if elected as MI AG. DePerno: “On day one, I will issue an opinion declaring CRT unconstitutional and banning this divisive concept. I will end this hateful ideology and advance Michigan as a place of freedom and America First principles.” Matthew DePerno for Attorney General (depernoformi.com)
    2. DePerno believes the AG’s office should weigh into education issues such as CRT. DePerno: “I think it is stuff that the attorney general’s office would weigh into.” Attorney General should be involved in education issues, Michigan Republican candidate says – mlive.com
  4. Safeguard students’ ability to live full, dignified lives free from gun violence. 
    1. Deperno does not support regulations that would protect students from gun violence. Deperno’s policy platform includes “Defend the Second Amendment and prevent infringement on lawful gun owners.” 
  5. Oppose discriminatory discipline policies in schools, including increased policing of students
    1. Deperno has not commented on discriminatory discipline policies.
  6. Advance gun safety measures that keep schools free from gun violence 
    1. When Deperno was asked about his stance on the second amendment, he said it was good as written and registration requirements were unnecessary 
  7. Ensure full funding that meets every school’s needs – including schools building safer environments by prioritizing COVID safety measures. 
    1. Deperno does not support COVID-19 vaccines. Deperno Instragrammed a news report regarding a fourth COVID vaccine with the hashtag “#antivaxx.”

Family Economic Security

Matthew DePerno

  1. Make millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share of taxes. 
  2. Help families with the rising cost of child care by investing in high-quality, affordable child care
  3. Establish universal paid family and medical leave. 
    1. Research into this candidate has yielded no statements indicating support or opposition.
  4. Protect women, especially women of color, and others from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. 
    1. Research into this candidate has yielded no statements indicating support or opposition.
  5. Create an economy that centers women and people of color and enables them to meet their needs, including affording stable housing and food access. 
    1. Research into this candidate has yielded no statements indicating support or opposition.
  6. Pay workers fairly, including ensuring equal pay for all and raising the minimum wage to at least $15/hour for all working people. 
  7. Expand food assistance programs like SNAP, school meals, and WIC 
    1. Deperno has been silent on food security support.
  8. Expand rental assistance 
    1. Deperno has not commented on rental assistance programs.
  9. Improve down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers 
    1. Deperno has not commented on down payment assistance programs.
  10. Expand refundable tax credits 
    1. Deperno has not commented on refundable tax credits.