"People are responding. That's what people want to hear. And they not only want to hear it, they want it enacted, which is why I want to come here and reform government," he said. "It's not working."
Leyton unveiled a five-point government reform plan. He wants to attack political crime and cut state politician pay by 10 percent on top of the 10 percent scheduled to take effect next year.
Leyton also wants to end lifetime benefits for lawmakers and require elected officials to disclose their income and assets yearly.
He also wants to enact a two-year lobbying ban for outgoing lawmakers and bureaucrats.
Leyton says he will hold politicians accountable, citing embezzlement and financial crime cases he's dealt with as Genesee County's prosecutor.
In the race for attorney general, an exclusive ABC12/Epic-MRA poll shows Republican and former appeals court Judge Bill Schuette leads Democrat Leyton 39 to 25 percent with 31 percent undecided.
Schuette has ties to Mid-Michigan as well. The Midland native says he wants a safer Michigan.
"And that means safety in our streets and we need to have a Michigan that has less spending, less taxes, less government and more freedom," he said.
"That's a key mission for me. My first priority is public safety."
