Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II is dropping his bid to become governor and launching a campaign for secretary of state in the battleground state. The progressive Democrat's departure clears up the party's primary field and benefits the frontrunner candidate, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. In a video announcing his new campaign, Gilchrist did not cite a specific reason for the change, but said he was not finished being a “public servant.” The secretary of state is Michigan’s top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.
