A candidate to be Michigan’s next governor has changed course.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced on Monday he’s ending his gubernatorial campaign and instead running to be Secretary of State. In a video released on social media, Gilchrist talked about what he’d focus on in the position.
“As Secretary of State, I will shine a light on dark money and put the public first,” Gilchrist said. “I will modernize licensing and registration by providing smarter 21st century service. I will protect your privacy and never allow your identity, voter registration information, or license plate data to be mined by big tech companies or surveilled by the Trump administration.”
Gilchrist joins a crowded campaign for Secretary of State. Democrats in the race include Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. The Republican side of the race features Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini and Oakland GOP delegate Monica Yatooma.
Gilchrist will be in Benton Harbor next month for the 2026 Michigan Black Summit.
