Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist (D) recently announced that he will be running for governor as the 2026 race for the position nears.
Announced on Tuesday, Gilchrist said that he has currently spoken to and established relationships with all the 83 counties in the state, per AP News. If elected, he plans on focusing on making affordable housing more accessible and providing more access to health care, including mental health care.
Prior to his announcement, Gilchrist has been telegraphing his bid for a number of weeks, although he recently formed his campaign committee over the past few days.
He now joins Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the race to succeed incumbent official, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who is term-limited. Benson previously announced her bid in January, becoming the first person to join the 2026 Democratic primary for governor. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is also running for the position as an independent party.
After speaking to NBC News following his announcement, Gilchrist acknowledged the impact the Trump administration is having on Michiganders and emphasized his commitment to the state’s citizens.
“It’s like calamity coming from Washington. I’m seeing it through the eyes of business owners in Michigan, automotive suppliers who have no idea how to plan for the next quarter, they have no idea how to plan for the next quarter — they don’t know what this tariff thing is going to do and how it’s going to play out,” said Gilchrist.
“My job as governor is to protect and promote and enhance the interest of state of Michigan and I’m going to do that, fortunately, and when somebody is threatening Michigan, even if it’s Donald Trump and Elon Musk, I’m going to tell that story clearly to make sure Michiganders understand where the threat is coming from and advocate on their behalf.”
If elected, Gilchrist would become the first Black governor in Michigan’s history and the seventh Black governor in U.S. history. Oscar Dunn and P.B.S. Pinchback made history as the first two Black governors in history when they won in Louisiana in 1868 and 1872, respectively.
Over a hundred years later, Douglas Wilder was nominated in Virginia, winning the government position in 1990. Most recently, Democrat and now-Maryland Governor Wes Moore became the sixth Black governor in U.S. history following Deval Patrick’s 2007 win and David Paterson’s 2008 win.
Gilchrist has already made history as Michigan’s first Black lieutenant governor. Under the title, he has focused on criminal and juvenile justice through the overseeing of task forces.
Gilchrist has also helped with legislation to save taxpayer money for affordable housing, provide equitable job opportunities and give internet access to more than 27,000 homes and businesses.
In 2024, he was also elected chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
