LANSING, Mich.—Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II said Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead will seek Michigan’s Democratic nomination for secretary of state, a position that serves as the state’s top election official. In a video announcement, Gilchrist did not cite a specific reason for the change, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.”
Gilchrist’s shift is expected to reshape the Democratic field for governor, clearing the way for Democratic frontrunner Jocelyn Benson. Benson, the current secretary of state, would move to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, with the secretary of state race becoming the next opening rather than the governor’s contest.
The secretary of state role has been highly politicized and visible since the 2020 presidential election, and Gilchrist framed the job as part of an ongoing national contest over election administration. He said, “Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again.”
Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, has also faced challenges matching Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. The AP reported that Gilchrist had around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October, compared with Benson’s $2.98 million.
With Gilchrist leaving the governor’s race, Benson is set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August. The secretary of state field, however, remains crowded for Democrats: Gilchrist will be among five Democrats seeking the party’s nomination chosen at a later convention process.
In the secretary of state race for Democrats, Gilchrist will face Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit, the AP reported.
Michigan does not hold primary elections for secretary of state; instead, the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19. State Republicans plan their nominating convention for March 28, according to the AP.
The AP also said a new complication for Democrats this year is the presence of a well-known independent candidate. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent to avoid costly primaries, and the Michigan Democratic Party criticized Duggan for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies, the AP reported.
On the Republican side, the AP said U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination for secretary of state. GOP figures pursuing the nomination also include Anthony Forlini, the Macomb County clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive, the AP said.
Beyond the contests for governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters are also scheduled to select a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.