Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist (D-Detroit) visited the Upper Peninsula State Fair on Thursday to take part in the Delta County Chamber of Commerce Governor’s Day luncheon underneath the Activities Tent.
Gilchrist filled in for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for a third straight summer. Whitmer appeared instead at the groundbreaking ceremony for General Dynamics Land System’s modernized headquarters in the Detroit suburb of Sterling Heights.
The last time Whitmer herself came to the U.P. State Fair was 2023.
Gilchrist, though, has become comfortable here in the Upper Peninsula, having made multiple visits over his eight years as the second-in-command.
“Every single table here is full of people who have advocated for a better life in the Upper Peninsula,” Gilchrist told the luncheon guests. “There are families across (the U.P.) who are paying more for their child care than they do for their mortgage. We have opened up new centers and have more professionals. But we know there’s more to do.”
Gilchrist touted the Whitmer Administration efforts to make sure free breakfast and lunch is offered to kids in schools across Michigan. That expenditure was included in the 2027 FY state budget that Whitmer signed into law earlier this summer. Gilchrist also touted the “Reconnect Michigan” and other programs aimed at expanding community college opportunities across the state.
Gilchrist says one of the challenges still to be tackled is in stablizing health care. On that, Gilchrist took a swipe at Washington, saying “The State of Michigan….will make sure that you have what you need, regardless of what happens at the federal level”.
Also on Thursday, Gilchrist spoke at the U.P. Veteran of the Year ceremony in Escanaba.
You can hear that speech by clicking HERE.
Besides Thursday’s speeches at the fair, Gilchrist also visitied the AdvantEdge physical fitness business in Ishpeming, met with leaders of the Highline broadband internet company, and celebrated the new certification of Ishpeming as a “Redevelopment Ready Community”.
Gilchrist also visited the Jacobetti Home for Veterans on Wednesday.
Gilchrist is now running for Secretary of State after initially throwing his hat in the ring for the governor’s race.
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