"We must stand tall against these attacks on our people," the lieutenant governor said. "We must fight for what matters. We must protect our people."

Gilchrist, seeking the Democratic Party nomination, is the third Democrat to enter Michigan's 2026 gubernatorial race.

Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Tuesday that he is running to become Michigan‘s first black governor. The campaigns for Michigan’s future political leader come after the November election where the state elected the Republican candidate Donald Trump.