LANSING, Mich. – Garlin Gilchrist II, a Democrat from Detroit who’s Michigan’s first Black lieutenant governor, introduced he is leaping into the crowded 2026 race for governor on Tuesday.
A software program engineer by commerce, Gilchrist vaulted from relative political obscurity in 2018 to run alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and his profile has been bolstered over the previous six years by working intently with one of many nation’s most high-profile Democrats.
“When you’ve got an issue, an engineer can repair that drawback,” Gilchrist mentioned in an interview with The Related Press forward of his announcement, saying he is constructed up relationships in every of the state’s 83 counties. “That’s a narrative that I’m going to inform.”
As governor, he mentioned he’ll concentrate on increasing inexpensive housing and enhancing entry to well being care, notably psychological well being companies.
He acknowledged that voters despatched President Donald Trump again to the White Home partially due to frustration with a “establishment that wasn’t serving them.” Trump notched a 1.5-point victory in Michigan final fall.
“That anger comes from not having outcomes, from issues not working,” mentioned Gilchrist. He described transferring to Washington state to work for Microsoft after graduating from the College of Michigan, however says that as governor, he’ll ensure that residents can “be their greatest self right here.”
“I need us to make good decisions in the present day in order that the individuals of Michigan know that they will take their subsequent step right here,” he mentioned. “They will construct their careers and their households and their futures right here.”
Nonetheless, Gilchrist must steadiness that narrative together with his function close to the highest of the Democratic Celebration, which held full management of state authorities from 2022 to 2024. Gilchrist in his AP interview didn’t break from Whitmer, calling her an ally and mentioned they’ve “laid a extremely good basis for the way forward for the state of Michigan.”
Gilchrist is seen as a rising star within the Democratic Celebration. His hometown Detroit is the state’s largest Democratic stronghold and almost 80% Black, bolstering his attraction. If elected, Gilchrist could be the primary Black governor of the state. Nevertheless, earlier than becoming a member of Whitmer on the Democratic ticket, he ran for Detroit Metropolis Clerk in 2017 and narrowly misplaced to incumbent Janice Winfrey.
Lieutenant governors additionally do not have a superb observe file in Michigan when attempting to ascend to the governor’s workplace, with the latest instance being Republican Brian Calley, who was trounced within the celebration’s major in 2018.
Gilchrist joins Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson within the 2026 Democratic major. Whitmer has mentioned she will not endorse any candidate.
The first winner may face an uphill battle within the common election. Together with a Republican opponent — Republican Senate Chief Aric Nesbitt is seen because the main candidate presently — they could additionally cope with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a former Democrat now working for governor as an impartial.
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