In the final stretch before Michigan Democrats meet on April 19, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II isn’t making noise just for the sake of it. The support forming around his run for secretary of state is earned.
In the last few days alone, another round of endorsements came in from the 12th Congressional District Democrats, Collective PAC, the Michigan Nurses Association, Redford Township Democrats, The Black Slate, and the Wayne State College Democrats.
Add to that list the Michigan Chronicle.
These groups and many others who believe Gilchrist should be Michigan’s next secretary of state all come from different corners of the political parties, and with different priorities, but a similar conclusion about who they want handling elections in this state.
That support didn’t come together overnight.
Gilchrist has spent the better part of his time as lieutenant governor building relationships that go beyond Lansing press conferences. He’s been visible in Detroit, in Wayne County, and in communities where turnout is always talked about but not always invested in.
People see him well before election season canvassing, learning about residents’ concerns, and implementing changes that positively impact people across the state.
That counts for something, especially with Black voters who have heard promises from both parties for decades and learned to measure politicians by what they do when the spotlight isn’t on.
The endorsements reflect that kind of memory.
Kevin Tolbert, chair of the 12th Congressional District Democrats, pointed to Gilchrist’s approach to governing, particularly how he’s handled access and transparency.
“Garlin has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, transparency, and equitable access to government services,” Tolbert said. “He understands how to modernize systems while protecting the integrity of our elections.”
That balance matters. Voters aren’t interested in hearing about modernization if it makes voting harder, and they’re not interested in talking about security that turns into barriers. The job requires both, and it requires someone who understands how those pieces fit together in practice.
Gilchrist’s background as an engineer tends to come up in these conversations, and when it does, it’s always more than just as a résumé line. The secretary of state’s office deals with systems that impact how people register, how ballots are processed, and how information moves. Supporters see his technical background as an advantage in an era where election infrastructure is under constant pressure, both politically and digitally.
Collective PAC, which focuses on building Black political power, framed its endorsement in terms of that long view.
“He’s spent his career expanding access, protecting rights, and making sure every Michigander’s voice is counted,” the organization said. “As secretary of state, he’ll make sure it stays that way.”
That kind of statement lands differently in Michigan, where Black voters, particularly in Detroit, have played a decisive role in recent elections while still dealing with uneven access and persistent skepticism about whether the system works for them.
Gilchrist has made a point of staying in those conversations and it shows up in how local organizations are talking about him.
From Redford Township Democrats to Wayne State’s student leadership, the endorsements speak to Gilchrist’s character as someone who listens, someone who shows up, and someone who doesn’t need an introduction every time there’s an election coming up.
Hannah Hashem of the Wayne State College Democrats put it plainly, calling him “someone who truly listens and shows up for communities.” It’s a simple statement, but in politics, that’s often where the gap is.
Labor groups are weighing in from a different angle. The Michigan Nurses Association emphasized both experience and steadiness. The group said that Gilchrist is less about messaging and they endorsed him because his actions showcase a candidate who can handle the responsibility of overseeing elections in a tense political climate.
“Garlin Gilchrist has a strong track record of standing tall for Michiganders,” said MNA President Aaron McCormick. “With his experience, we know that he is uniquely qualified to not only protect the integrity of our elections but expand voting access.”
Across the country, debates over voting rights haven’t slowed down, and secretary of state offices are often where those fights play out first.
The Black Slate’s endorsement made that point without dressing it up. Chair Kandia Milton pointed to both Gilchrist’s leadership and the demands of the moment, especially as questions about access and trust in elections continue to surface.
For many Black voters, those concerns are tied to real experiences that include long lines, changing rules, and confusion around requirements. The idea that the system should be both secure and easy to navigate should be a controversial one. The challenge has always been finding leadership that treats both as priorities at the same time.
Gilchrist’s supporters, including the editorial board at the Chronicle, believe he’s been doing that already.
What’s also worth noting is how often his name comes up outside of his formal role. In national election cycles, he’s been active campaigning, organizing, and helping drive turnout in Michigan when the stakes were high. That work doesn’t always get headlines, but it builds a different kind of credibility, especially in communities that are used to being courted late and forgotten early.
By the time endorsements like these start stacking up, they’re usually reflecting something that’s been building for a while.
That’s where things stand heading into April 19.
Gilchrist has a record that people have already been watching, and for a growing number of organizations across the state, it’s enough to put their name behind his.
He has used his platform to amplify concerns that might otherwise be sidelined, and he has done so with a level of consistency that builds trust over time. He shows up, again and again, with both intention and accountability.
At a time when confidence in public institutions is fragile, the person elected to be Michigan’s next secretary of state has to be able to connect policy to people. It has to be someone who understands that every decision made in that office has real-world consequences for voters navigating registration, identification requirements, and ballot access.
Gilchrist has already demonstrated that he understands both the stakes and the responsibility of public service. His tenure as lieutenant governor could have been defined by the ceremonial role that it often casts the officeholder into, but Gilchrist has made his role consequential instead, and he will do so with even more impact as secretary of state.
