Experience. Accountability. Community.

Help us bring integrity back to the bench.

Why Vote Steinhoff for judge?

There can’t be justice without fairness. The 11th Judicial Circuit - Alger, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft counties - deserves an impartial judge who reflects Yooper values and is not afraid to do what is right.

Robert T. Steinhoff has fought for justice his entire career. As a defense attorney running a successful law practice, he was on the front lines protecting the rights of the accused and giving a voice to those that had none. As the Prosecuting Attorney for Alger County, Rob has stood up for victims and worked tirelessly to keep our community safe - in and out of the courtroom.

Born in Manistique and raised in Munising, Rob is the son of paper mill workers and the first attorney in his family of Yoopers dating back to the early 1800s. He understands the value of hard work and the importance of giving back.

We need a judge with experience on both sides. A judge who gives everyone a fair shake, and will hold anyone accountable. Now, more than ever, we need a judge who understands what justice means for our community.

Rob Steinhoff is a firefighter wearing protective gear, including a yellow helmet and brown jacket with reflective stripes, standing on grass near an orange traffic cone in a field under a partly cloudy sky.

About rob.

Rob Steinhoff holding brown and gray dog Gretchen with a harness, with two women inside a room with wood-paneled walls and a Michigan state seal.
Three people standing in a pantry, holding a large check, smiling at the camera. Shelves behind them contain canned goods, canned peas, boxes of cereal, and bags of snacks.
A man in a suit holding a microphone gives a presentation titled 'Tribal Justice' in a conference room filled with seated attendees.

  • Rob has been the Alger County Prosecutor since 2019. Elected in 2020 and again in 2024, his focus has been protecting victims of crime and getting help to those who need it.

    He’s also taken the fight to Lansing by representing the values of the U.P. at the state level and pushing to bring resources home. As judge, Rob will continue to advocate for the U.P. to make sure the 11th Circuit Court has the resources needed to provide fair justice.

    • Served on the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM) Board of Directors since 2020 and the Executive Board since 2025.

    • One of three members of the Board of Directors for PAAM’s legislative arm that works directly with the Michigan Legislature to provide resources for prosecution and uphold the justice system.

    • Served on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals since 2020.

    • Worked closely with federal, state and local law enforcement to stop dangerous drug traffickers and violent criminals throughout his time as Prosecutor.

    • Supported special treatment courts, such as drug treatment, mental health, and veterans to provide help to those that need it.

  • Rob honed his trial skills as a defense attorney in Southwest Michigan. He served as a public defender in Allegan, Cass, Kalamazoo and Van Buren Counties, and retained private clients around the state.

    During his time in private practice, Rob handled hundreds of cases, from misdemeanors to felonies as well as civil cases.

  • During his time as Prosecutor, Rob has served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals and has led the charge to bring resources to specialized courts in the Upper Peninsula.

    As judge, Rob will continue to fight for more resources to improve drug treatment courts, mental health courts, and veterans’ courts in the 11th Circuit. He also will seek to create a family court to provide holistic justice to the families of the 11th Circuit.

  • As Prosecutor, Rob and has sought to ensure veterans receive the services they need. As judge he will work to support and reinstate veterans courts in the 11th Circuit.

    While running his private practice, Rob was dedicated to helping veterans navigate the legal system with specialized services tailored to their needs.

    During law school, Rob was a legal intern for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, as well as for Homeland Security in Washington D.C. with the Department of the Coast Guard. In both roles he was an advocate for active service members and veterans, helping to secure benefits and protect their rights.

  • In a multi-county circuit, a judge must also be a skilled administrator to manage the Court.

    Before becoming a defense attorney, Rob started as a court administrator for the Friend of the Court of Cass County, Michigan. He managed a staff of over a dozen, and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the FoC.

    He carried those skills into private practice, and as Alger County Prosecutor, was responsible for revolutionizing prosecution in the county by digitizing all criminal files and implementing a new technology system.

  • Rob has spent his entire career serving the public - from law student to Prosecutor. He is also a proud member of his community, volunteering his time to various organizations, including:

    • Volunteer firefighter with the Munising City Fire Department

    • Member of the Grand Island Masonic Lodge

    • Member of the Munising Rotary Club

    • Munising Tribal Center Elders volunteer

    • Past president of Families Against Narcotics, Alger County

    • Past member of the Board of Directors for Legal Aid of West Michigan

  • Rob was born in Manistique and grew up in Munising. He attended Munising Public Schools and went on to earn his B. A. in Political Science with honors from Lake Superior State University. He graduated from law school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    He is also an adjunct professor at Lake Superior State University and has taught legal research.

    He now lives in Munising with his wife, Roxanne.

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