ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Voters got a closer look Thursday night at the two candidates seeking to become Michigan’s next secretary of state during a debate in Ann Arbor, Mich., at the University of Michigan.
Democrat Garlin Gilchrist, the outgoing lieutenant governor, and Republican Anthony Forlini, the Macomb County clerk, faced off on election integrity, appointments and how to keep voters confident that ballots are counted correctly.
Forlini argued that his experience running elections as a county clerk better prepares him for the statewide job and pointed to what he described as a bipartisan record of working across the aisle. He also raised concerns about thousands of people in Michigan who still have not received state tax returns.
Gilchrist said that as lieutenant governor he has visited all 83 counties in Michigan at least three times and framed the role as serving everyone regardless of party. He highlighted progress on the appointment system over the last eight years and said he wants to expand secretary of state services, including digital driver’s licenses.
Both candidates pressed the need for the public to trust election results. Gilchrist said officials should not placate election deniers and should focus on clear, fast and accurate results. Forlini said he is willing to confront real election concerns and make processes more transparent.
The Ann Arbor, Mich., forum gave local voters an early look at a statewide contest that will shape how Michigan runs elections after November. Neither candidate announced a major policy retreat during the exchange, and both kept returning to trust and administrative experience as central themes.
