LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday that he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for the battleground state’s secretary of state.
Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not give a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not yet ready to be a “public servant.” His departure clears the Democratic primary and benefits incumbent Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the race to replace term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The secretary of state is Michigan’s top election official, a political role highly visible since the 2020 presidential election.
“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.
As Whitmer’s second-in-command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having about $378,000 in cash as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.
Benson will now only face Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.
The inclusion of a known independent candidate created a new problem for the Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding expensive primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party kicked the former Democrat last week for not standing up against President Donald Trump’s second term policies.
In the Republican primary, Rep. American John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are running for the nomination.
In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Ingham County clerk Barb Byrum; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, former Whitmer aide and Michigan State Lottery commissioner; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.
Michigan does not hold primary elections for the position of secretary of state; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19th.
State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention on March 28 and GOP figures vying for the party’s nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, Oakland County executive.
In addition to the office of governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be choosing a new state attorney general and US senator in November.