Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II has suspended his bid for governor and pivoted to a run for state secretary of state, a move that reshapes the Democratic path in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

In the Republican field for governor, contenders include John James, Mike Cox, Aaric Nesbitt, and Tom Leonard, creating a crowded primary slate.

The secretary of state contest features a competitive Democratic field—Barb Byrum, Aghogho Edevbie, Adam Hollier, and Suzanna Shkreli—with Shkreli showing notable fundraising and Hollier bringing stronger prior fundraising in past campaigns.

Gilchrist frames the race around voter protection and election integrity, citing concerns about extremism and how election administration underpins democracy.

He lists priorities such as funding transparency, modernizing state services, and safeguarding voter information as central to his platform.

With an engineering background, Gilchrist portrays himself as a problem-solver ready to modernize the secretary of state’s office, emphasizing data privacy and cybersecurity.

Profiles note his career history and policy focus, including education, tax policy, and economic growth, with campaign activity occurring between early 2025 and spring 2025.

Observers note the broader electoral context, including the secretary of state’s role in elections and the ongoing dynamics following the 2020 election.

Gilchrist points to his prior bid for Detroit City Clerk in 2017 and argues his tech background makes him well-suited to safeguard voter data.

Source: Associated Press reporting by Isabella Volmer.

The secretary of state post is pivotal for election administration, with Gilchrist underscoring its importance in safeguarding elections and addressing Michigan’s election integrity debates.

He raises concerns about rising costs, threats to democracy, and centralized power as motivations to pursue the secretary of state role.