Michigan's Lt Gov Garlin Gilchrist II suspends governor bid, enters secretary of state contest
LANSING, MICHIGAN: Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced on Monday, January 12, that he was suspending his campaign for governor and entering the race for secretary of state.
Gilchrist, a Democrat from Detroit, announced in a video statement that he intended to continue his work in public service.
The decision reshaped Michigan’s Democratic primary for governor and strengthened the position of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the current frontrunner to succeed term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Michigan voters will select statewide leaders in November in a closely watched battleground state.
Garlin Gilchrist II's exit reshapes the Democratic field for governor
Gilchrist II’s departure from the gubernatorial race significantly alters the Democratic primary landscape.
As Whitmer’s running mate in two elections, Gilchrist II entered the contest with statewide experience but struggled to match Benson’s fundraising and name recognition.
Campaign finance reports showed Gilchrist had approximately $378,000 in cash on hand as of October, compared with Benson’s $2.98 million.
I’m a public servant, an entrepreneur, a dad, a husband, and an engineer who spent a lot of my life making the government actually work for people. I’m not done with that, not by a long shot
— Garlin Gilchrist (@garlin) January 12, 2026
Today, I am declaring my candidacy for Secretary of State of Michigan. pic.twitter.com/Q9C31yGBtE
With Gilchrist II no longer in the race, Benson is now expected to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary scheduled for August.
The race to replace Whitmer comes as Michigan Democrats also contend with a high-profile independent candidacy.
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent, bypassing both Democratic and Republican primaries.
The Michigan Democratic Party criticized Duggan last week, accusing the former Democrat of failing to oppose President Donald Trump’s second-term policies. His candidacy has added uncertainty to an already competitive general election environment.
On the Republican side, several candidates are vying for the gubernatorial nomination, including Rep John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, State Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt, and former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard.
Secretary of state race draws multiple candidates
Gilchrist II said that his decision to seek the secretary of state position reflected the importance of the office, which oversaw elections in Michigan.
“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” he said in his announcement.
The secretary of state role has taken on heightened significance since the 2020 presidential election, with Michigan frequently at the center of national election debates.
Gilchrist will face several Democratic contenders, including Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie, a former aide to Gov Whitmer and Current Commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery Suzanna Shkreli, and a former Democratic state senator from Detroit Adam Hollier.
Michigan does not hold primary elections for secretary of state. Instead, nominees are chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions.
The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19. Republicans will select their nominee earlier, holding a convention on March 28.
GOP candidates seeking the secretary of state nomination include Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini and Oakland County Executive Monica Yatooma.
