Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist is running for governor to be a “problem-solver” for Michigan, he told Bridge Michigan in an interview.
Gilchrist launched his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday morning, making him the fifth major candidate to enter the race that already includes two other Democrats: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.
The November 2026 election is still nearly 20 months away.
“What I hear from people all across Michigan is they need solutions to the challenges, whether it’s housing or health care, which I hear about in every single community,” Gilchrist told Bridge, noting that in his six years as Lieutenant Governor, he’s visited each of Michigan’s 83 counties at least three times.
“We have the ability to make progress on those problems,” he added, arguing he can offer “the kind of stability and competence and confidence” to make it happen amid “a lot of chaos and confusion” coming from Washington.
When asked how he would differentiate himself from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Gilchrist turned to his background as a software engineer.
“We have to make sure that we have leadership that can meet this moment, frankly, in a time of technological change,” Gilchrist said, noting the advent of large language models and the prospect of artificial intelligence upending industries “creates a lot of anxiety for a lot of people.”
But when speaking to the biggest threat the state faces today, Gilchrist alluded to ongoing population woes in Michigan, which has struggled with retaining residents and attracting new ones. The state’s population has been effectively flat for nearly two decades.
“Growth means making sure that people who are currently here see a pathway to their future here,” he said. “Growth means making sure that people who are not yet Michiganders see Michigan as the best place for them to take their next step.”
Increasing the state’s population has also been a priority for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who in 2023 created a task force to explore policy solutions, but so far there’s been little progress on the complex issue.
Gilchrist cast his story as one that’s quintessentially Michigan: born to a family whose grandparents arrived in Detroit during the Great Migration, his family left the city so he could receive a better public school education in the suburbs.
After studying at the University of Michigan, he was among the droves of educated young professionals fleeing the state when he left Michigan for nine years to work in Seattle for Microsoft and later for left-leaning organizations in Washington. He returned to Detroit in 2014 with his wife and children.
In 2017 Gilchrist lost a race for Detroit’s nonpartisan city clerk as he sought to unseat longtime clerk Janice Winfrey. The next year, then-candidate Whitmer chose Gilchrist as her running mate.
The second Trump administration, Gilchrist argued, “is really dangerous and destructive for the people of Michigan and for our economy.” When “going on offense” against the administration is needed, “well, I’m going to be the guy that goes on offense.”
If Gilchrist advances past the primary with Benson, Swanson and any other Democrats who join the race, he’d likely have to contend with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who left the Democratic Party to run as an independent.
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township is so far the only high-profile Republican entrant. Former Attorney General Mike Cox is also exploring a run.
Click here for Bridge Michigan’s ongoing coverage of candidate and campaign announcements ahead of Michigan’s 2026 election.