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Matt DePerno concedes Michigan AG race to Dana Nessel

Published  November 9, 2022 9:17am EST
2022 Midterm Elections
FOX 2 Detroit

Whitmer's victory speech: Michigan is about to 'step on the accelerator'

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been declared the winner in the race for the state's top job. She said in her victory speech she plans to move the state forward over the next four years.

(FOX 2) - Republican Matthew DePerno has conceded the race for attorney general to Dana Nessel, releasing a statement thanking voters for showing up for the candidate.

"Although we didn't emerge victorious tonight, I believe we sent a strong message to Lansing. The people of MIchigan are tired of the rising crime, threats to parental rights and an ongoing lack of trust in government."

While DePerno said he was conceding the race, he also said he would "refuse to concede that Michigan is a blue state. I will continue to fight like hell to restore Michigan to all it can be and I look forward to continuing this journey with you all."

Ironically, DePerno, who was a fierce opponent of the 2020 election results and consistently denied their outcome, conceded the race for attorney general prior to it being called by media outlets. According to unofficial results, Nessel leads DePerno by 300,000 votes - about 7 points.

Find more election results here. 

Nessel's race was seen as one of the closer statewide campaigns during the tight midterm race. However, Democrats overperformed in many of their races, polls have consistently shown.

She previously worked as an assistant prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. After leaving that role, she opened her own law firm.

Civil rights issues are a main focus of Nessel's, and she founded the Fair Michigan Foundation. Other issues her campaign highlights includes consumer protection, protection for seniors, environmental protection, health care access, and robocall reductions.

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Dana Nessel was joined alongside Ingham County Election Clerk Barb Byrum and state Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) for a live stream during the former president's rally in Macomb County Saturday night.