Michigan Republicans gathered in Novi on Saturday, March 28, 2026 to endorse the party's 2026 slate for several of the state's most important offices, including Attorney General, Secretary of State, the Michigan Supreme Court, the State Board of Education, and the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University.
The convention gave Republicans an opportunity to define the preferred slate early, rally support around it, and begin the work of taking that case to voters across Michigan. By the end of the day, Michigan Republicans had assembled and presented a full 2026 slate for several of the state's highest-profile offices, including AG, SOS, judicial, education, and university governance positions.
Doug Lloyd endorsed for Michigan Attorney General
Doug Lloyd emerged from the Novi convention as the MIGOP-endorsed candidate for Michigan Attorney General, carrying a long prosecutorial record into one of Michigan's most consequential statewide races.
With 34 years of legal experience and 30 years as a dedicated prosecutor, Lloyd has built a long career in public service. He is currently serving his fourth term as Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney and has emphasized a record of prosecuting serious crimes, including murder and public corruption.
Lloyd has framed his candidacy around integrity in prosecution, public safety, and a return to evenhanded law enforcement grounded in facts and evidence. His campaign message calls for fair enforcement of the law, opposition to political "lawfare," stronger election-law enforcement, and a defense of constitutional rights.
Supporters of Lloyd see his background as evidence that he is prepared to step directly into the Attorney General's office with experience, discipline, and a prosecutor's understanding of how the justice system works in practice.
Lloyd's platform emphasizes integrity first, election security, constitutional rights, and a public-safety focus aimed at restoring accountability in Lansing.
Anthony Forlini endorsed for Michigan Secretary of State
Anthony Forlini received the MIGOP endorsement for Secretary of State in Novi, bringing election administration experience and a local-government record into a major statewide opening in 2026.
Forlini currently serves as Macomb County Clerk and has made his case for statewide office on the basis of election administration experience, public accountability, and improved customer service. Before becoming clerk, he served in the Michigan House and as Supervisor of Harrison Township, giving him experience in both local and state government.
His campaign has centered on restoring trust, efficiency, and transparency to the Secretary of State's office. As Macomb County Clerk, Forlini has pointed to improvements in service delivery, streamlined operations, and a stronger focus on election security.
A businessman as well as a longtime public servant, Forlini has presented himself as a candidate with the administrative experience to oversee one of Michigan's most visible statewide offices while improving responsiveness to voters and taxpayers.
Forlini's campaign message highlights citizen-focused administration, measurable service improvements, and a stronger sense of trust and accountability in the Secretary of State's office.
Additional endorsements
Supreme Court, education, and university board candidates
In addition to Attorney General and Secretary of State, delegates also endorsed candidates for the Michigan Supreme Court, State Board of Education, and the boards that govern Michigan's major public universities.
Michigan Supreme Court
Michael Warren and Casandra Morse-Bills
MIGOP endorsed two sitting judges for Michigan Supreme Court, pairing long-serving courtroom experience with a message rooted in constitutional interpretation and judicial restraint.
Endorsed
Michael Warren
Judge Michael Warren has served on the Oakland County Circuit Court since 2002 and is also known for his work in civic education, constitutional teaching, and writing on American history and first principles.
Endorsed
Casandra Morse-Bills
Judge Casandra Morse-Bills brings judicial experience across Probate, District, and Circuit Court matters, along with prior work in private practice and as a prosecuting attorney focused on fidelity to the law and equal application of it.
Michigan State Board of Education
Bree Moeggenberg and Terence Collins
The endorsed State Board ticket combines family-centered advocacy with local education and financial oversight experience, reflecting a campaign message focused on accountability, academic fundamentals, parental rights, and expanded school choice.
Endorsed
Bree Moeggenberg
Bree Moeggenberg has built her public profile through advocacy for children, parental rights, transparency, and age-appropriate instruction, arguing that schools should prioritize academics, student well-being, and strong family partnerships.
Endorsed
Terence Collins
Terence Collins brings financial and local school-governance experience, along with a message centered on fiscal responsibility, parental transparency, and a renewed concentration on reading, writing, math, and classroom accountability.
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Lena Epstein and Michael Schostak
For the University of Michigan Board of Regents, delegates endorsed two candidates presenting business leadership, governance experience, and a reform message focused on accountability, affordability, and campus culture.
Endorsed
Lena Epstein
Lena Epstein is co-owner and a top executive of Vesco Oil Corporation and has long been active in Michigan business and Republican politics. Her campaign emphasizes accountability in university leadership, free speech, and reform of campus culture.
Endorsed
Michael Schostak
Michael Schostak, Bloomfield Township Treasurer and University of Michigan alumnus, has built his candidacy around affordability, free speech, in-state opportunity, and stronger oversight in university governance.
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Roger Victory and Julie Maday
The MSU trustee slate pairs legislative and business experience with a message of transparency, stability, and institutional accountability at one of Michigan's most scrutinized public universities.
Endorsed
Roger Victory
State Senator Roger Victory brings both legislative and business experience to the MSU contest and has built a public profile around practical leadership, institutional stewardship, and governance shaped by real-world management.
Endorsed
Julie Maday
Julie Maday is running on a message of accountability, transparency, and stability for Michigan State University, arguing that the institution needs mature governance, openness with the public, and a renewed commitment to students and families.
Wayne State University Board of Governors
Christa Murphy and Andy Anuzis
For Wayne State, delegates endorsed a technology and governance executive alongside an educator and public servant, giving the slate a mix of institutional leadership and education-grounded experience.
Endorsed
Christa Murphy
Christa Murphy is a Wayne State mathematics alumna with senior leadership and board experience in technology and governance. Her candidacy emphasizes innovation, strategic leadership, and helping Wayne State adapt to changing student and workforce needs.
Endorsed
Andy Anuzis
Andy Anuzis is an educator and experienced public servant whose background spans public education, state and federal government, and organizational leadership. He has presented himself as a practical, common-sense candidate focused on students, accountability, and long-term institutional success.
Full profiles and campaign links
Readers who want the complete office-by-office slate, fuller bios, and official campaign links can review the 2026 MIGOP Endorsed Candidates page.
Stephen Schumacher, Republican campaign consultant"After conversations with party leaders, candidates, delegates, and members of the media, this was one of the smoothest Michigan Republican conventions in recent memory."
2026 outlook
A convention focused on the general election
The March 28 convention took place against the backdrop of major 2026 opportunities for Republicans in Michigan. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel are both term-limited, meaning two high-profile statewide offices will be open in November.
Convention speakers and party leaders repeatedly stressed the importance of unity heading into the general election. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon delivered the keynote address at the convention, reinforcing the broader Republican education message that also shaped debate around parental rights and school choice. Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad urged delegates to rally behind the party's endorsed candidates, while House Speaker Matt Hall reiterated the call for Republicans to unite behind the chosen slate. Gubernatorial candidates Perry Johnson, John James, and Ralph Rebandt addressed delegates as well.
By the end of the day, Michigan Republicans had assembled and presented a full 2026 slate for Attorney General, Secretary of State, Supreme Court, State Board of Education, and Michigan's three publicly elected university boards.
Context
Why the convention happened early
This year's endorsement convention came earlier than many Michigan Republicans are used to seeing. The March 28, 2026 gathering gave the party an opportunity to define its preferred slate sooner, begin organizing around endorsed candidates earlier in the cycle, and build momentum heading toward the November 3, 2026 general election.
For most voters, the practical takeaway is straightforward: Republicans used the Novi convention to identify, elevate, and begin rallying behind their preferred 2026 candidates months before the general election.
What comes next
The next phase of the 2026 cycle
With the endorsement convention complete, MIGOP's 2026 candidates now move into the next phase of the election cycle. Democrats are scheduled to endorse their own candidates on April 19, 2026 in Detroit, and the broader general-election contest will continue to take shape in the months ahead.
For Republicans, the next task is to introduce the endorsed slate to voters statewide and make the case for change in Michigan's legal, electoral, educational, and university-governance leadership.