Gilchrist’s exit from the governor’s race clears the Democratic primary for frontrunner Jocelyn Benson, the current secretary of state, who held a commanding fundraising advantage heading into 2026. The secretary of state is Michigan’s top elections official — a highly politicized role in a battleground state that has been a recurring focal point in disputes over American elections.
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and entering the race for secretary of state, a shift that narrows the Democratic gubernatorial field in the battleground state ahead of its August primary.
Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit who served as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s running mate in two elections, made the announcement in a video statement. He did not cite a specific reason for leaving the governor’s race, saying only that he is not finished being a “public servant.”
“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.
Benson clears the Democratic governor’s field
Gilchrist’s departure benefits Jocelyn Benson, the current secretary of state, who was already the frontrunner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Benson now faces only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the August Democratic primary.
Fundraising underscored the difficulty of Gilchrist’s position. He reported approximately $378,000 cash on hand as of October, compared with Benson’s $2.98 million.
Democrats face an additional complication in the general election: former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running for governor as an independent, bypassing the primary process. The Michigan Democratic Party criticized Duggan last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second-term policies.
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt, and former House Speaker Tom Leonard are competing for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
A crowded secretary of state field
The secretary of state is Michigan’s top elections official, a role that took on heightened political prominence after the 2020 presidential election made the state a focal point of disputes over election administration.
In the secretary of state race, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: 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.
Michigan does not hold a primary election for secretary of state. The nominee is selected by precinct delegates at party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19. State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention on March 28; GOP candidates include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.
Broader Michigan ballot
Beyond the governor and secretary of state contests, Michigan voters will also select a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November 2026.