Michigan Lieutenant Governor Begins Campaign for States Top Job
The lieutenant governor of Michigan, Garlin Gilchrist II, announced on Tuesday that he is running for governor, joining a competitive Democratic primary field at a time of uncertainty for the party in that swing state and beyond.Mr.Gilchrist, a software engineer from Detroit, has been a visible second-in-command to Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer over the last six years, presiding over the State Senate, leading a panel that studied racial disparities during the Covid-19 pandemic and signing some bills into law.Still, Mr.Gilchrist is not exactly a household name, and with more than a year before the 2026 primaries, he must introduce himself to more voters and compete with other prominent Democrats for endorsements and donors.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who has emphasized voting rights and democracy, and Sheriff Christopher R.Swanson of Genesee County, who spoke at last year’s Democratic National Convention, have already entered the race, and others could follow.
Ms.Whitmer is barred by term limits from seeking re-election.Michigan’s eventual Democratic nominee could face a difficult three-way race in the general election.
Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit, a longtime Democrat, is running for governor as an independent, a move that some Democrats worry could give the Republican candidate an advantage.Aric Nesbitt, the Republican leader in the Michigan Senate, is seeking his party’s nomination, and other candidates could still enter that race.In an interview, Mr.
Gilchrist, 42, said he planned to focus on housing and health care issues on the campaign trail, though he declined to outline specific policy proposals.He also criticized President Trump’s tariffs, which he said had the potential to “be catastrophic for industries across Michigan,” and described how he would approach governing with Mr.
Trump in office.“You’ve got to play defense to stop the other team from scoring and hurting people, but you also recognize that sometimes the best defense is a g...