U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-TX, was in Detroit over the weekend for a fundraiser for Michigan governor candidate Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist.
The two lawmakers are going viral in a video posted Monday morning that’s been “liked” by more than 50,000 times across Instagram and TikTok. The video is captioned, “POV you’re about to elect Michigan’s first Black governor.”
“Congresswoman Crockett and I know these times aren’t normal,” Gilchrist told Micihgan Chronicle in a statement. “Everything from housing to groceries costs too much, and instead of helping people, the federal government is killing jobs, abusing power and terrorizing our communities. Rep. Crockett knows that all Democrats are not the same and not everyone is built for this moment… And as Governor, I’ll raise wages, make housing affordable, and hold the rich and powerful accountable.”
Gilchrist is one of three Democrats running for governor along with Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who leads the fundraising battle between her Democratic opponents.
Crockett, a rising progressive Congresswoman from Texas who is reportedly weighing a U.S. Senate bid, joined Gilchrist’s fundraiser at a private residence the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 15. A flyer for the event suggested supporters donate $500 to $5,000 to Gilchrist’s campaign.
The amount candidates vying to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer raise is a heavily scrutinized factor heading into the August 2026 gubernatorial primary given more money means more exposure.
Benson, who served as the state’s top elections chief during President Trump’s baseless attacks on Detroit’s elections, has the money advantage on top of having higher name recognition. She’s raised more than $4.5 million since launching her campaign.
Benson reported raising $1.21 million from July 21 through Oct. 20, with $2.98 million left to spend.
Gilchrist reported raising $358,000 during the same period, with $378,000 remaining.
Swanson reportedly raised $296,000, with $385,000 left in his war chest.
“The people of Michigan, the voters of Michigan, they’re not looking for who’s connected to the most millionaires,” Gilchrist said on Off The Record in September. “If this was a contest about who got the most most millionaires in their phone — that’s not me. I’m connected to working people.”
Gilchrist said he came to Lansing as an outsider and has been pitching his campaign to progressive voters upset with current Democratic leadership. In a video posted to social media last month, Gilchrist said the Democratic party already has enough lawyers, “we need builders with new ideas,” he said.
“You have too many Democrats that just are beholden straight up to corporate interests, to millionaire and billionaire donors,” Gilchrist said in the video. “You have too many Democrats who are scared to have a fight about anything important. That’s why people have been not just frustrated but have been making other choices.”
The comments drew the rebuke of Attorney General Dana Nessel, who on Twitter criticized Gilchrist for his post: “For the Lieutenant Governor, and a candidate for the highest elected office in the state, to fail to appreciate the important role lawyers play in today’s current landscape and our nation’s history is deeply concerning and offensive to those of us who have fought tirelessly to protect the rights of so many in our state.”
Gilchrist’s invitation to Crockett as a special guest of the weekend fundraiser is another signal indicating the progressive nature of his politics and the direction of his campaign. He’s going all in courting progressives upset with the Democratic establishment.
Gilchrist was recently endorsement by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, after the Democrat became the first running for governor to declare the war in Gaza an active genocide during a speech at an Arab American festival in Dearborn.
In the same comments, he vowed against taking money from corporate PACs, the only Democratic candidate for governor to do so.
Sitting in waiting for the respective winner of the Democratic and Republican primaries is independent Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. He reported raising $1.17 million the last quarter, with $2.46 on hand.
