LANSING — Birmingham attorney Kevin Kijewski, an attorney for one of the defendants in Michigan’s “fake elector” case, is the first Republican to announce a campaign for state attorney general in 2026.
Kevin Kijewski
“Michigan deserves an Attorney General who roots out corruption, prosecutes crime, and makes sure every legal vote counts,” Kijewski said in an April 28 news release announcing his candidacy.
Kijewski attacked Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, who can’t run again due to term limits, as someone who practiced “lawfare” against Democratic opponents and backed “draconian actions” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kijewski represents Clifford Frost, one of 15 Michigan defendants accused of falsely claiming to be presidential electors after the 2020 presidential election, in a case brought by Nessel. Each faces forgery and election-related felony counts.
Early in the pandemic, Kijewski served as vice chair of the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools, organizing federal litigation to fight school closures, he said in the release.
He is also a former superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese of Detroit, he said.
Kijewski said he has a law degree from MSU and a master’s degree in education from the University of Notre Dame. He is married, with one daughter.
On April 16, Democrat Mark Totten, a former U.S. attorney for the western district of Michigan, announced his campaign for attorney general.
Republican and Democratic candidates for attorney general will be selected at state party conventions next year.
Nessel’s office did not respond to a request for a response to Kijewski’s criticism of her.
Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Birmingham attorney Kevin Kijewski announces GOP bid for Michigan AG