MI-SOS: Gilchrist (D) weighs dropping bid for governor, to run for secretary of state [View all]

[RandySF]

Lansing — Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II is considering ending his campaign to be Michigan's next governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state in the coming days, according to three sources with knowledge of internal discussions that have been playing out among top state Democrats.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly address the deliberations.

A spokesman for Gilchrist's campaign didn't respond Wednesday to a request for comment.

Gilchrist's potential exit from the gubernatorial primary would be a boon to Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who's been viewed by many as the favorite to win the party's nomination in August. The only other Democrat in the race is Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.


https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/07/michigan-lt-gov-garlin-gilchrist-weighs-dropping-bid-for-governor-to-run-for-secretary-of-state/88066713007/