In the battle to become Michigan’s attorney general, voters will choose between two young but experienced contenders.
Mike Cox, who is running on the Republican ticket, has 13 years of experience as a prosecuting attorney.
State Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, has been in politics for eight years and has been an instructor at two public universities.
Cox was contacted by The State News several times for contribution to this report, but was unavailable.
He also canceled several interviews. Information was provided by his campaign Web site.
Here’s their take on the issues:
• Cox: “Michigan needs a tough prosecutor as attorney general to fight street crime. Michigan’s crime rate is too high.
“I will lead Michigan’s fight on crime by expanding the role of the attorney general’s office to defend Michigan citizens from street crime.”
• Peters: “There will be a unit within the attorney general office that will focus on complex but important cases to maintain corporate accountability.”
• Cox: “In an age of Enron, WorldCom and DCT, the people of Michigan need one tough prosecutor protecting their pensions.
“The people of Michigan do not need to wait for new legislation to protect pensions in Michigan. Michigan’s laws already provide the tools for an experienced prosecutor to assure Michigan workers have someone watching out for them.”
• Peters: “It’s a concern that some CEOs have been playing fast, elusive games with their books, and as a result, we’re seeing our stock market in chaos. Investors are being hurt by CEOs who are more interested in their golden parachutes than they are in the golden years of their employees.
“The attorney general is in prime position to hold to those CEOs accountable and make sure they play by the rules.”
• Cox: “The attorney general is Michigan’s governor’s lawyer,” said Stu Sandler, Cox’s campaign manager.
“Mike will have a professional relationship with whoever the governor is.”
• Peters: “The attorney general’s office is a very complex office that is intimately involved in all areas of state government. It’s a learning and growing experience to take on such an important office.”
