Most people think being a lieutenant governor is just about attending ribbon cuttings and waiting for the governor to go on vacation. It’s not. In Michigan, the role has historically been a bit of a "choose your own adventure" for whoever occupies the office. For Garlin Gilchrist II, that adventure has involved everything from building SharePoint at Microsoft to leading a massive task force on racial disparities during a global pandemic.
Honestly, the job is what you make of it. Some stay in the shadows; others, like Gilchrist, turn it into a platform for massive policy shifts.
As of January 2026, the political landscape in Lansing is shifting under our feet. For months, everyone assumed Gilchrist was the natural heir to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He launched a campaign. He toured the 83 counties. Then, on January 12, 2026, he did something that caught a lot of political insiders off guard. He dropped out of the governor’s race.
He’s now running for Secretary of State.
Why Garlin Gilchrist II Matters Right Now
You can’t talk about Michigan politics without talking about Gilchrist. He’s the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. He’s also the first one born in the 1980s. That’s a big deal in a state that has often struggled with its own "brain drain"—losing young talent to places like Seattle or D.C.
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Gilchrist himself was part of that drain. He worked for Microsoft for four years. He helped build the infrastructure for SharePoint. Think about that for a second. The guy sitting second in line to the governorship of a major Midwestern state actually understands how your office intranet functions.
When he came back to Detroit in 2014, it wasn't just for a homecoming. He wanted to fix things. He ran for Detroit City Clerk in 2017 and lost by a razor-thin margin to Janice Winfrey. It was a 1,486-vote difference. That loss, kinda paradoxically, set him up for the statewide stage.
The Shift from Governor to Secretary of State
So, why the sudden pivot in early 2026? Politics is often about the math.
Jocelyn Benson, the current Secretary of State, had a massive fundraising lead—something like $2.98 million compared to Gilchrist’s $378,000. It's tough to beat that kind of name recognition. Instead of a messy primary that could hurt the Democratic party, Gilchrist decided to aim for the seat Benson is vacating as she runs for governor.
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It’s a strategic move. He’s betting that his tech background makes him the perfect person to protect voter data. He’s already been vocal about it. He told reporters recently that he wants to make sure Michigan’s voter registration data isn't "mined by big tech companies" or used for surveillance.
- The Tech Edge: He isn't just talking about "cybersecurity" as a buzzword. He’s an engineer.
- The Equity Factor: He led the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. This wasn't just a committee that met once a month; it actually helped close the gap in COVID-19 death rates among Black Michiganders.
- The Ground Game: He’s visited every single county in Michigan at least three times. That’s a lot of miles on the odometer.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Office
People assume the lieutenant governor has a lot of independent power. On paper? Not really. The Michigan Constitution is pretty specific. The LG presides over the State Senate but only votes to break a tie.
But here’s the secret: the power comes from the partnership. Whitmer and Gilchrist have been a "ride or die" political duo since 2018. They don’t just share a ticket; they share a policy agenda.
If you look at the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, that was Gilchrist’s baby. He co-chaired it. They looked at why jail populations in Michigan had tripled over 30 years even though crime was going down. That’s the kind of "nerdy" policy work that doesn't always make the evening news but changes thousands of lives.
The 2026 Election Reality
Michigan is "ground zero" for election drama. We saw it in 2020. We saw it in 2022. As we head toward the November 2026 election, the Secretary of State role is basically the most important job in the state for anyone worried about the "gears" of democracy.
Gilchrist is entering a crowded field for the Democratic nomination. He’s up against folks like Ingham County Clerk Barbara Byrum and Suzanna Shkreli. Byrum hasn't been shy about calling the Secretary of State office a "consolation prize" for Gilchrist.
That’s the kind of internal party friction that makes the 2026 cycle so interesting.
Actionable Insights for Michigan Residents
If you're trying to keep up with all these moving parts, you need to do more than just watch the TV ads.
- Check the Convention Dates: Unlike the governor's race, which has a standard primary, the Secretary of State nominee is often decided at party conventions. For the Democrats, that's happening in April 2026. If you want a say, you need to be involved with your local party delegates.
- Watch the Tech Policy: Gilchrist is likely to make "digital privacy" a centerpiece of his campaign. Pay attention to how he plans to modernize the SOS branch offices. We’ve all spent too much time in those waiting rooms.
- Monitor the Fundraising: Money doesn't always win, but it buys the "megaphone." Follow the Michigan Secretary of State’s campaign finance disclosures to see who is actually funding these runs.
The next few months are going to be wild. With Mike Duggan running as an independent and a host of Republicans like John James and Mike Cox eyeing the governor’s mansion, the 2026 election is shaping up to be a total reset for Michigan.
Whether you love his policies or not, Garlin Gilchrist II has redefined what a lieutenant governor can actually do. He took a "spare tire" office and turned it into a policy engine. Now, he’s trying to do the same for the state's election and licensing systems.
Next Steps for You: Start by verifying your own voter registration status at the Michigan Voter Information Center. If you want to follow the 2026 race closely, set up alerts for the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, as they'll be certifying the candidates and the ballot initiatives that will define the next decade of Michigan law.