Mike Cox

Mike Cox was born on December 29, 1961.[1] He attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He earned a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989.

Political career

The following actions were overseen by Mike Cox in his official capacity as Attorney General of Michigan:[2][3]

Formation of the state Child Support Division

Reorganization of the state Child and Public Protection Unit

Formation of the state Office of Special Investigations

Drafting of the Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Act

U.S. Supreme Court lawsuit

In 2009 in his official capacity as Attorney General of Michigan, Cox sued for a preliminary injunction against the State of Illinois, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago with the United States Supreme Court. The suit alleged that the entities were responsible for allowing the spread of Asian carp in the Great Lakes. In the lawsuit, Cox sought the closure of the O'Brien Lock and Dam and the Chicago Controlling Works, the operation of sluice gates at the Wilmette Pumping Station, the O'Brien Lock and Dam and the Chicago Controlling Works to stop carp from entering Lake Michigan, new barriers created to prevent carp from escaping the Des Plaines River into the Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal during flood events and entering Lake Michigan through the Grand and Little Calumet Rivers, a comprehensive study of the Chicago waterway system, and action to permanently separate the waterways from the Great Lakes. Cox requested that the U.S. Supreme Court reopen a case from 1925 in which the federal government challenged Chicago's right to divert water from the Great Lakes via canal without consulting neighboring states, including Michigan, or grant a new case.[4][5][6]

In 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States denied two requests for a preliminary injunction.[7]

Awards

Golden Hearts Award (2004) from the National Child Support Enforcement Association.

Mike Cox did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteCox's campaign website stated the following:Mike’s Vision for MichiganI’ve spent my life in the fight - and I’m not done yet. I know what it takes to win, and with the right leadership, Michigan can be the freest, safest, and most prosperous state in America.But right now, the people in power are working against you. Governor Whitmer and her allies have made it harder to earn a living, raise a family, and feel safe in your own community.  They overtax, overregulate, and overreach - while pushing an agenda that weakens our values and divides our people. They want to turn Michigan into California. I’m not here to manage decline. I’m running for Governor to lead a comeback. By eliminating the tax on work, dismantling the DEI bureaucracy, and putting workers first - not woke elites - we will make Michigan a state that leads again.  A place where freedom, opportunity, and common sense rule the day - and where Florida and Texas look to us for ideas.Eliminate the Tax on WorkOur paychecks should go toward our families, not Lansing’s pet projects. In just six years, Michigan’s budget soared from $57 billion to over $82 billion, enough to wipe out the 4.25% income tax entirely. States without income taxes all rank high in job and wage growth—let’s bring that same prosperity here.Provide Property Tax ReliefEveryday I meet working men and women and small farmers who tell me that they worry about losing their homes because it is harder and harder to pay their property taxes. As Governor, I would work to eliminate the state property tax for homeowners and farmers, provide seniors on a fixed income with property tax exemptions, and move all millage elections to the November ballot to prevent local governments from sneaking tax increases in low-turnout elections.Teach the ABCs, Not DEII’ve fought these so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” mandates since day one. DEI programs push quotas over excellence and divide our communities. I believe in equal opportunity for all—where character and hard work matter more than identity politics.“DOGE” State GovernmentGovernment should exist to serve citizens, not itself. Yet under Governor Whitmer, Lansing hired more bureaucrats while our roads fell apart and student performance dipped. I’ll cut red tape, streamline licensing, and refocus agencies on actually fixing problems—so Michiganders can get back to work and thrive. As Attorney General, I reduced the staff by 20% while handling more cases than ever before. As an owner of a very successful business for the past 14 years, I know how to do more with less.Restore Right to WorkLet’s give workers the freedom they deserve. For a dozen years, Michigan put workers first when we passed our Right to Work law - in that time, Michigan added new jobs, our manufacturing industry rebounded, and families earned more money. I will return Michigan to the place where workers thrive and industry grows by fighting to restore our Right to Work law and ensure Michigan competes on a national stage.Support School ChoiceMichigan now trails most states in education - even states like Mississippi - and that’s unacceptable. As your Governor, I’ll opt Michigan in to President Trump’s school choice tax credits to unleash education freedom so parents can find the best fit for their kids, support talented educators and hold the education bureaucracy accountable for results, and ensure students struggling in reading or math get the support they need.End Corporate WelfareMichigan’s government has spent billions handing out tax credits and grants to big companies that promised jobs - and never delivered. Meanwhile small businesses, the real engine of our economy are left behind. It’s time to stop picking winners and losers. I’ll end these wasteful giveaways and build a level playing field where success is earned - not subsidized. That means lower taxes for everyone, fewer strings for entrepreneurs, and a focus on what really attracts jobs: our skilled workers, abundant resources, and unmatched quality of life.Keep Our Communities SafeIllegal immigration strains public services and lowers wages. As Attorney General, I fought attempts to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants - opening the door to fraud. I’ll continue to stand with law enforcement to protect legal pathways, keep our communities safe, and invest in proven crime-fighting strategies that reduce violence and revitalize cities.I’ve protected people my entire life, fought and beat the worst of the worst. Let’s not stand by and let radical politicians or woke bureaucrats undermine us any longer. I’m Mike Cox and I’m running to be your Governor.Together, we can Make Michigan Great Again.Mike’s Record of AccomplishmentsProtected Michigan ElectionsIn 2024, after an inquiry from the RNC, Cox volunteered and was engaged to represent the RNC and President Trump in any necessary legal efforts in federal court related to Election Day Integrity and Ballot Security fights. For more than two decades, Cox has been on the frontlines of Election Day integrity and protecting Michigan elections.Proven He Can WINMike Cox was the first Republican Attorney General of Michigan in 50 years, winning statewide twice, even as Democrats overperformed. He is the only Republican candidate to ever beat Senator Gary Peters statewide and the only candidate for Governor who has actually beat Democrats in a statewide race.Created Government EfficiencyWhen Cox assumed office, the AG’s office had 303 attorneys. Due to state budgetary issues and cuts, that number went down to 268 by 2010.  Yet despite having to cut his staff by 21%,  the AG’s office handled over 7% more cases in 2010 than his predecessor handled in 2002.  Doing more with less. Put Consumers FirstCox recovered over $3.4 billion in consumer protection recoveries – twice any prior AG. He successfully fought over $3.1 billion in added energy costs and defeated the Governor’s efforts to shut down clean coal plants which would have hurt Michigan manufacturers and homeowners. Kept Invasive Species Out of Michigan LakesCox led the four Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario to begin the fight against Asian Carp in the Great Lakes.  In 2009 and 2010 Cox sued the Obama Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to force them to separate Illinois waters from the Great Lakes to protect Great Lakes fisheries from Asian Carp. This fight continues today. Ensured Children Receive the Support They NeedAttorney General Cox was the first-in-the-nation to create a Child Support Division to address the epidemic levels of unpaid child support. Since its inception, Cox has collected nearly $100 million, ensuring about 80,000 children in Michigan are receiving the support they need and deserve.Stood Up to Obama to Enforce Immigration LawsIn 2010, Cox came to the support of then Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in defending an Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070 that allowed Arizona police officers to stop illegal aliens.  Cox led a coalition of 11 states in defending Arizona against the Obama Administration’s efforts to invalidate Arizona Senate Bill 1070.Fought Whitmer's ShutdownsWhile some politicians shied away from conflict, Cox worked alongside Michigan leaders to fight back against Whitmer’s unconstitutional overreach. Cox used his experience as a former Attorney General to represent the Unlock Michigan campaign when Whitmer was trying to close businesses, close schools, and abuse her authority.Led the Fight Against DEICox was the only statewide Republican to support the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI), a state constitutional amendment that made race and gender preferences unconstitutional in public education, employment and contracting.  (MCRI is now Article I, Section 26 of Michigan’s Constitution).Helped HomeownersMike directly helped 56,000 homeowners renegotiate or get new loans after the 2009 Great Recession to stay in their homes. Along with this, Cox created the first Mortgage Fraud Unit in the state. Protected Children from PredatorsCox began the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative (CSI) that taught over 500,000 Michigan schoolchildren how to protect themselves online. This program continues through today.  Cox’s Internet Predator Unit was recognized nationally through its work with NBC Dateline and other groups in the arrests of hundreds of internet predators. Created Medical Price TransparencyIn 2007,  After a 3 year fight, Cox was able to create the drug cost website, MichiganDrugPrices.com, within the MI Department of Community Health, to help hundreds of thousands of seniors and working class families without insurance save money on their prescription drugs by allowing them to compare prices at their local pharmacies. Protected Seniors Against ScamsCox created the Michigan Senior Brigade to educate thousands of seniors and caregivers on how to avoid scams. Fought for Hunters and Gun OwnersCox protected hunters’ and gun owners’ rights by signing reciprocity agreements with 35 other states that allowed licensed Michigan citizens who had CPL to protect themselves while traveling.   — Mike Cox's campaign website (July 6, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.