Garlin Gilchrist unveils bid to become Michigan’s first Black governor
Garlin Gilchrist II (D), Michigan’s first Black lieutenant governor, announced Tuesday that he is running for governor.
Gilchrist, a former software engineer, ran alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) in 2018. In his announcement video, he said after working at Microsoft, he sought to use technology to make government more efficient in Detroit in an effort to improve lives.
“That’s why I became an engineer. It’s why I went into public service, and that’s why I’m running for governor of the state of Michigan,” he said.
He’s the third Democrat to jump in the race to replace term-limited Whitmer. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson have also announced their candidacies. If elected, Gilchrist would be the first Black governor in the state.
Gilchrist highlighted his career and accomplishments with Whitmer, including the Clean Slate program for the criminal justice system and the Michigan Innovation Fund for tech startups.
In his announcement, Gilchrist slammed the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for their takeover and rapid overhaul of the federal government.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk are breaking commitments to our state and attacking Michiganders every day,” he said. “As governor, I’ll protest our rights and stand up for the families, workers and businesses that keep our economy strong.”
“Real leaders find solutions that improve the lives of the people they serve instead of just looking out for themselves,” Gilchrist continued. “So, let’s make the dream of health and wealth a reality for every Michigander.”
In an interview with The Associated Press ahead of his announcement, Gilchrist said he would lean heavily on his engineering background while running his campaign and said he has already made relationships with the state’s 83 counties.
“When you have a problem, an engineer can fix that problem,” he said. “That’s a story that I’m going to tell.”
He said he will look to expand affordable housing and improve health care and mental health care in the state.
Gilchrist, seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, championed Whitmer’s career and said she laid a good foundation for Michigan.
Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face an uphill battle in the state, as Trump narrowly flipped Michigan in the general election last November.
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