Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
12.7%
53.7%
6.4%
Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
$58.7K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleLieutenant Governor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age43 years old (Sep 25, 1982)
GenderMale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Michigan — B.S.E. (Computer Science and Computer Engineering), 2005
Notable personal detailsGarlin Gilchrist II is an American politician and engineer serving as the 64th lieutenant governor of Michigan since 2019. He previously worked as a software engineer at Microsoft and later held roles in civic technology and progressive advocacy, including work with the City of Detroit. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan and has also served as chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgdetroitchamber.commichigan.govapnews.comlegislature.mi.govmichiganchronicle.comaxios.comcommons.wikimedia.orglinkedin.commichigannewssource.comde.wikipedia.orgcsmr.umich.edudetroitmi.govmilivcounty.govgarlingilchrist.comwgvunews.orgmichiganadvance.comwnem.commichiganpublic.orgwemu.orgportal.ct.govdigital.bentley.umich.edumiaflcio.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orguaw.orgfox2detroit.comdetroitnews.comvotebeat.orgcrainsdetroit.comuppermichiganssource.comcbsnews.commininggazette.comballotpedia.orgbridgemi.comfacebook.cominstagram.comgovinfo.goves.wikipedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgru.wikipedia.orgvotesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgnga.orgcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for low- and middle-income households (expanded Earned Income Tax Credit) and proposed tax credits for caregivers while backing state budget investments in education, housing, infrastructure and economic development without raising broad taxes. Emphasizes using state budget and targeted credits to put money back into working families’ pockets and to invest in public programs that promote economic opportunity.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable health care, protecting and strengthening Medicaid and Medicare, and improving mental-health services and health equity; favors government action and investments to lower costs and increase access rather than privatization or repeal. Positions emphasize building on existing programs and lessons from the COVID-19 response to reduce disparities.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive healthcare; describes reproductive decisions as between patients and medical providers and opposes efforts to restrict that access. Commits to using executive and coalition tools to defend reproductive freedom in Michigan and to codify/affirm those protections under state law.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive state-level climate action and large clean-energy investments, backing Michigan’s MI Healthy Climate Plan goals including carbon neutrality by 2050 and major programs to expand solar, hydrogen, and clean-energy manufacturing and financing. Has announced and promoted grant programs and federal-state partnerships to grow clean energy jobs, deploy solar and storage, and build hydrogen manufacturing capacity in Michigan.
Public Safety & Guns
Garlin Gilchrist supports expanded gun violence prevention measures including universal background checks, safe-storage requirements, and extreme risk (red flag) orders, and has promoted efforts to remove illegal firearms from communities. He has also supported holding the firearms industry accountable and funding public-safety initiatives to reduce gun violence.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 14, 2026
Garlin Gilchrist recently won the Michigan Democratic Party endorsement for secretary of state after previously considering a run for governor. Democrats also endorsed him and Eli Savit at their state convention, though the convention was marked by intraparty tensions. The secretary of state race is important because the office oversees elections in Michigan.
en.wikipedia.org+47
Articles
LSLansing State Journal3 months ago
Dems endorse Gilchrist for secretary of state, Savit for AG
Positive
MLM Live Michigan 3 months ago
Gilchrist secures Michigan Democratic Party’s endorsement for secretary of state
Positive
MLM Live Michigan 3 months ago
3 Michigan Democrats seek party nomination for secretary of state job
Neutral
SASanta Ana Orange County Register2 months ago
Republicans once saw Michigan as ripe for takeover, but mood shifting
Neutral
Polls
Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Garlin Gilchrist for Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
Michigan AFL-CIO
Elected official
Michigan AFL-CIO endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for secretary of state.
Michigan Democratic Party
Elected official
Michigan Democratic Party endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for secretary of state.
Michigan Democratic Party members at the State Endorsement Convention
Elected official
Michigan Democratic Party delegates endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for secretary of state.
Reproductive Freedom for All
Elected official
Reproductive Freedom for All endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for secretary of state.
United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)
Elected official
UAW endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for Michigan secretary of state.
Rashida Tlaib
Elected official
Rashida Tlaib endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for Michigan governor.
Rashida Tlaib
Elected official
Rashida Tlaib endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for Michigan governor.
Michigan state legislators
Elected official
Multiple Michigan state legislators endorsed Garlin Gilchrist for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising