Gilchrist projected to win Michigan secretary of state race
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist was projected to win the secretary of state election, defeating Republican Anthony Forlini, the Macomb County clerk. The winner will succeed Democrat Jocelyn Benson, who is barred by term limits from another term and is running for governor.
With 79% of the vote counted as of 2 a.m. on November 4, Gilchrist had 52.79% and Forlini had 44.5%. Another tally, with 62.9% of precincts reporting, listed Forlini at 45%, Libertarian Christine Sloan at 2% and Green Party candidate Eric Borregard below 1%.
Gilchrist has served as lieutenant governor under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer since 2019. He was nominated for secretary of state earlier in 2026 after leaving the race for governor. A Detroit native, he studied at the University of Michigan and later held a job at Microsoft, as well as working on Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign before joining Detroit city government.
Forlini won election as Macomb County clerk in 2020. His previous public service included a term in the Michigan House of Representatives and work as Harrison Township clerk. Most polling places in Michigan closed at 8 p.m. on November 3, while some in the Upper Peninsula stayed open until 9 p.m.
Gilchrist’s projected win keeps Michigan’s election office in Democratic hands
Michigan voters were projected to choose Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist as their next secretary of state, turning back Republican Anthony Forlini’s challenge and keeping the office held by Democrats. Gilchrist will succeed Jocelyn Benson, who is seeking the governorship and cannot run for another secretary of state term.
With 79% of votes counted as of 2 a.m. on November 4, Gilchrist had 52.79% to Forlini’s 44.5%. A separate tally, at 62.9% of precincts reporting, showed Forlini at 45%, Libertarian Christine Sloan at 2% and Green candidate Eric Borregard below 1%.
Gilchrist has served as lieutenant governor under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer since 2019. He entered the secretary of state race after dropping out of the governor’s contest and was nominated for the office earlier in 2026. His projected win puts a Democrat in the position after Benson’s tenure.
Forlini, elected Macomb County clerk in 2020, also served in the Michigan House and as Harrison Township clerk. Most Michigan polls closed at 8 p.m. on November 3, with some Upper Peninsula locations open until 9 p.m.
Gilchrist projected to win secretary of state race as Forlini falls short
Democrat Garlin Gilchrist was projected to win Michigan’s secretary of state race, defeating Republican Anthony Forlini and succeeding Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat now running for governor. The result gives Democrats another term in an office that will be vacated because Benson is term-limited.
At 2 a.m. on November 4, with 79% of the vote counted, Gilchrist had 52.79% and Forlini 44.5%. A separate tally with 62.9% of precincts reporting put Forlini at 45%; Libertarian Christine Sloan had 2%, while Green candidate Eric Borregard was below 1%.
Gilchrist has been lieutenant governor under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer since 2019. He was nominated for secretary of state earlier in 2026 after leaving the governor’s race. Forlini, Macomb County clerk since his 2020 election, brought experience in the county office, the Michigan House and as Harrison Township clerk, but the projection puts Gilchrist ahead.
Most polls closed at 8 p.m. on November 3. Some in the Upper Peninsula remained open until 9 p.m.
Reported by Bridge Michigan, WXYZ Detroit, ClickOnDetroit WDIV.
