Garlin Gilchrist II

Garlin Gilchrist II
Birthplace	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, technologist
Title	Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
Known for	50th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Garlin Gilchrist II is an American politician and technologist serving as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan since January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected on a ticket with Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. In his role as lieutenant governor, Gilchrist serves as president of the Michigan Senate, a constitutional duty that has placed him at the center of legislative proceedings in the state. Before entering politics, Gilchrist built a career in technology and civic innovation, working at major technology companies and in municipal government. In January 2026, he announced that he was ending his campaign for the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial race and instead launching a bid for Michigan Secretary of State, positioning himself as a prominent candidate for the state's top election administration post.

Early Life

Garlin Gilchrist II was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up on the city's west side, where his family's roots shaped his connection to the community and its civic traditions. Detroit's socioeconomic landscape during Gilchrist's formative years—marked by deindustrialization, population decline, and persistent racial and economic inequality—provided the backdrop for his early understanding of public policy and community engagement. Gilchrist has frequently cited his upbringing in Detroit as formative to his political outlook and commitment to addressing systemic challenges facing working-class communities in Michigan.

Career

Technology and Civic Innovation

Before entering electoral politics, Gilchrist pursued a career in technology and civic innovation. He worked at Microsoft as a software engineer, gaining experience in the technology sector that would later inform his approach to government modernization and digital engagement. Gilchrist also worked in civic technology, focusing on the intersection of technology and public service. He served in the administration of the City of Detroit, where he held a role focused on civic engagement and technology initiatives. His background in the technology industry distinguished him from many traditional political candidates and became a central element of his public identity.

Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

In 2018, Gilchrist was selected as the running mate of Gretchen Whitmer in the Michigan gubernatorial election. The Whitmer-Gilchrist ticket won the general election, and Gilchrist took office as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on January 1, 2019. He became the first African American to serve as lieutenant governor of Michigan.

The Whitmer-Gilchrist ticket was re-elected in 2022, securing a second term. Throughout his tenure, Gilchrist has served in the constitutionally defined role of president of the Michigan Senate, presiding over legislative sessions and casting tie-breaking votes when necessary. This role places the lieutenant governor at the intersection of executive and legislative functions in Michigan state government.

However, reporting in early 2026 indicated that Gilchrist had routinely been absent from Michigan Senate sessions, drawing scrutiny from political observers and media outlets. According to The Detroit News, Gilchrist had "routinely skipped his responsibility to serve as president of the Michigan Senate," raising questions about his engagement with the legislative duties of the office. The absences occurred against the backdrop of his active campaign for statewide office, raising additional questions about the balance between his official duties and political ambitions.

During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Gilchrist has been involved in a range of policy initiatives and public engagement activities. He has spoken at Democratic Party events throughout Michigan, including an appearance at the Midland County Democratic Party meeting on February 18, 2026, where he addressed local party members and supporters.

In a lighter moment reflecting the traditions of Midwestern collegiate rivalries, Gilchrist placed a friendly wager with Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel ahead of the annual Michigan–Ohio State football game in November 2025. The wager, a common tradition among state executives in Michigan and Ohio, involved each lieutenant governor pledging local goods and products from their respective states.

2026 Campaign for Secretary of State

Gilchrist initially launched a campaign for the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial race, seeking to succeed Governor Whitmer, who was term-limited and could not seek re-election. However, on January 12, 2026, he announced that he was suspending his campaign for governor and would instead run for Michigan Secretary of State. The announcement was made via a video posted to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The shift in campaign focus was widely reported across Michigan media. The Detroit News noted that Gilchrist was "likely to become the biggest name either party has in the race to be Michigan's top election official," reflecting his statewide profile and political infrastructure as significant assets in a secretary of state race. WZZM-TV similarly reported on the transition, noting the significance of a sitting lieutenant governor entering the race for the state's chief election officer.

The Michigan Secretary of State oversees elections, motor vehicle administration, and business filings in the state. The office has become increasingly prominent in national political discourse due to the central role secretaries of state play in election administration and certification. Gilchrist's entry into the race positioned him as a leading Democratic candidate for the position, leveraging both his experience in statewide office and his background in technology.

The reasons behind Gilchrist's decision to switch races were not fully elaborated in his public announcement, though the competitive dynamics of the gubernatorial primary and the strategic calculation of running for a potentially less crowded statewide office were noted by political analysts in Michigan media coverage.

Personal Life

Gilchrist resides in Michigan with his family. In September 2025, Gilchrist and his family were the targets of a bomb threat at their home. According to WDIV Local 4, the lieutenant governor and his family were reported safe following the incident. The bomb threat prompted a law enforcement response, and the incident drew attention to the security risks faced by public officials. The threat was one of several incidents across the United States in which elected officials and their families have faced direct security threats, a trend that has raised broader concerns about political violence and the safety of public servants.

Recognition

In September 2025, Gilchrist received the Shirley Chisholm Award, an honor reflecting his work on behalf of working-class residents of Michigan. The award, named after Shirley Chisholm—the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress and the first woman and African American to seek a major party's nomination for President of the United States—recognizes individuals who demonstrate a commitment to public service and advocacy for underserved communities. A press release from the Michigan Governor's office described the award as "reflecting [Gilchrist's] commitment to working class Michiganders."

As the first African American to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, Gilchrist's tenure has been noted as a milestone in the state's political history. His selection as Whitmer's running mate in 2018 and subsequent re-election in 2022 reflected the growing diversity of Michigan's statewide elected leadership.