(LANSING) - Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for Governor.
Instead he is joining the race for Secretary Of State of the battleground state.
Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a "public servant." His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The Secretary Of State is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.
As Whitmer's second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson's name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 in cash on hand as of October compared to Benson's $2.98 million.
Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.
In his bid to become Secretary Of State, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County Clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, Deputy Secretary of State; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and Commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former State Senator from Detroit.
Michigan does not hold primary elections for the Secretary of State position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.