MI-SOS: Controversies embroil Democratic race for secretary of state

[RandySF]

Mason — Two Democratic candidates for secretary of state are vowing to stay in the convention race for the party's nomination, despite an effort by some influential groups to consolidate support behind Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II.

The situation points to a potentially contested — and heated — floor fight taking place at the Michigan Democratic Party's April 19 convention in Detroit. The Detroit News interviewed more than a dozen Democrats about the contest, finding that many see Gilchrist as the frontrunner but also detect the possibility of an upset.

Barb Byrum, Ingham County's clerk and a longtime figure in Democratic politics, guaranteed she would take her bid to be Michigan's next secretary of state to a vote at the convention.

"I'm taking this to the floor," Byrum told The News.



https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/19/michigan-democratic-party-race-secretary-of-state-barb-byrum-garlin-gilchrist-suzanna-shkreli/89101999007/

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. I hit a paywall. What's the controversy?

Two Dems are running in the Dem primary for an office. Isn't this how it's supposed to work?

[MichMan]

2. Sounds like they just want to give it to Lt. Governor Gilchrist

Instead of giving voters a choice

[RandySF]

3. It's a state convention vote.

I was a delegate back in the and the UAW would always have enough floor control to preselect candidates. That power is fading which is how Dana Nessel got nominated AG.

[Soul_of_Wit]

4. The short answer is that the Democratic Primary is run by the party

The party chooses who gets on the ballot. The candidates on the primary ballot are chosen at the convention. They might allow 1, 2 or more candidates to appear. If they have existing rules about this then they also can change those rules at the convention.