Progressive U.S. Rep. Tlaib endorses Gilchrist for Michigan governor, praising his support of working people - Detroit Metro Times

Rashida Tlaib Throws Her Weight Behind Garlin Gilchrist for Michigan Governor, Citing Support for Working People and Second Chances.

In a move that is likely to energize progressives and Arab American voters in Michigan, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib has endorsed Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II for governor. Tlaib's endorsement comes after Gilchrist, who announced his candidacy in September, gained national attention for his outspoken criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Tlaib praised Gilchrist's record on working people and labor unions, as well as his support for people rebuilding their lives after incarceration. The Clean Slate Program, which Gilchrist helped champion, allows many residents with past criminal convictions to have their records automatically cleared after a set number of years. This policy was designed to remove barriers to jobs and housing for people who have completed their sentences and stayed out of trouble.

Tlaib expressed her trust in Gilchrist, saying that she knows he has shown up for families and those left behind. She also highlighted his lived experience as a father and someone who understands the importance of defending workers and fighting for second chances.

Gilchrist's campaign has already drawn attention from progressive voters and Arab American communities, thanks to his vocal criticism of Israel's military actions and refusal to accept donations from pro-Israel groups. Tlaib's endorsement is likely to further boost Gilchrist's bid, as she is the only Palestinian American in Congress.

As the Democratic primary approaches in 2026, Gilchrist will face competition from other candidates, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, and former Cape Coral, Florida Mayor Marni Sawicki. However, with Tlaib's endorsement, Gilchrist is likely to be a strong contender for the nomination.

"I trust Garlin," Tlaib said in a video posted on social media. "He has shown up at the picket line, and he's shown up for our folks that are returning citizens that need that second chance."

I'm not sure about this endorsement thingy from Rashida Tlaib to Garlin Gilchrist... seems like a big deal but is it just a way for her to get some brownie points with the progressive voters? I mean, I love how he's all about supporting working people and giving second chances, but isn't that kinda basic? And what's up with his stance on Israel, does he really have to be so vocal about it? It's like he's trying to attract a specific crowd instead of just running as himself.

he's gonna crush it I'm all about seein' more candidates like Garlin Gilchrist who actually care 'bout people rebuildin' their lives. The Clean Slate Program is a game changer, trust me . Rashida Tlaib knowin' what's up for his community is exactly why we need her support . Now let's see how the rest of the field stacks up against him

I'm loving this endorsement from Rep. Rashida Tlaib ! As an Arab American myself, it's amazing to see someone speaking out for our community in Michigan . Gilchrist's stance on Israel is definitely a bold move, but I think it shows he's willing to take a stand for what he believes in . And let's be real, the Clean Slate Program is a game-changer for people trying to rebuild their lives after incarceration . It's not just about giving second chances, it's about giving people a fair shot at life . I'm definitely intrigued by Gilchrist's campaign and think Tlaib's endorsement will give him a boost !

OMG, I'm so hyped about Rashida Tlaib throwing her support behind Garlin Gilchrist! It's amazing to see a leader like Tlaib using her platform to amplify the voices of working people and those fighting for second chances. The Clean Slate Program is such an important initiative, and it's great that Gilchrist is championing it. As someone who cares about social justice, I think this endorsement is a game-changer for his campaign ! Let's keep it up and support leaders like Gilchrist who are truly making a difference in their communities !

I'm not sure about this endorsement thingy... Don't get me wrong, Rashida Tlaib is a total boss and all, but shouldn't we be focusing on actual policies instead of who's got the coolest nameplate? Like, what's Garlin Gilchrist's plan for addressing climate change in Michigan or how's he gonna fix our education system? And can someone explain to me why Tlaib is suddenly becoming the "voice" of Arab American voters again? It feels like she was kinda dropped from that spotlight a while back...

omg u guys i just found out that rashida tlaib is backing garlin gilchrist for gov in michigan i think its awesome cuz gilchrist is all about supporting workers and giving ppl a second chance after they've done their time he helped create this Clean Slate Program that clears ppl's records so they can get jobs and housing again which is literally life changing tlaib said she trusts him cuz he shows up for families and ppl who are trying to rebuild their lives i'm low-key rooting for him now

Ugh, people might think that with Rashida Tlaib throwing her weight behind Garlin Gilchrist, it'll be a cakewalk for him to win. But let's be real, the primary is still gonna be super competitive . I mean, Jocelyn Benson has been doing some cool stuff as Secretary of State and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson seems like a solid choice too. And then there's Marni Sawicki, who's got some decent experience as a mayor. It's not gonna be easy for Gilchrist to take down the other candidates . Plus, we all know how primaries can get ugly...

I think it's dope that Rashida Tlaib is reppin' Garlin Gilchrist. Like, for real, this dude knows how to speak truth to power and support the people. His stance on Israel is everything - we need more leaders who ain't afraid to take a stand . And let's be real, his Clean Slate Program is some real magic . We need more politicians who care about second chances and giving folks a fresh start. Tlaib knows what she's doing, trustin' her instincts on Gilchrist. He's got the right vibe, fam .

I think Rashida Tlaib's endorsement of Garlin Gilchrist is a big deal for Michigan's governor race . As someone who cares about social justice and equality, it's awesome to see a politician like Gilchrist speaking out on issues that matter most to working-class folks and those with past convictions . The Clean Slate Program is a game-changer in terms of giving people a second chance, and I'm glad Tlaib recognizes the importance of this policy . With her endorsement, Gilchrist might just have a shot at winning over voters who care about progressive values like workers' rights and community support .

I'm not sure about this one ... I mean, I know Rashida Tlaib is all about supporting working people and stuff, but isn't Garlin Gilchrist kinda outspoken about his views on Israel? Like, didn't he say some things about Gaza that made people mad? And what's up with the Clean Slate Program, anyway? It sounds like a good idea, I guess... but isn't it kind of a Band-Aid solution for people who have done time? Still, if Tlaib trusts him and all, I guess he might be okay in her eyes . But can we talk about something else? This whole Israel thing is giving me anxiety ...

so Rashida Tlaib is endorsing Garlin Gilchrist for governor and I'm just over here like "okay, because nothing says 'strong leader' like someone who gets criticized by Israel ". but seriously, I do think it's awesome that she's backing him, especially given his platform on working people and second chances. the Clean Slate Program is actually kinda genius – it makes sense to give people a fresh start after they've done their time . and let's be real, having a Palestinian American in Congress is like, a big deal . so yeah, I'm not surprised Tlaib is on board with Gilchrist's campaign... but we'll see how the primaries play out

I think it's dope that Rashida Tlaib is backing Garlin Gilchrist II for governor... like, finally we got some real representation for Arab Americans in Michigan . And I'm all about this Clean Slate Program, you feel? It's a game-changer for people trying to rebuild their lives after serving time. But, at the same time, I'm kinda worried that Gilchrist's Israel criticism might be a major hurdle for him... like, how far is he willing to go on those issues? Anyway, Tlaib's got his back, and with her endorsement, it's gonna be interesting to see how this whole primary thing goes down .

I'm low-key obsessed with this endorsement from Rep. Rashida Tlaib for Garlin Gilchrist ! As a progressive, I've been following Gilchrist's campaign, and it sounds like he's got the right vibes on working people and labor unions . His support for the Clean Slate Program is everything - it's all about giving people a second chance after they've served their time . And with Tlaib's endorsement, I think this will definitely give Gilchrist an edge in the primary . It's awesome to see an Arab American candidate getting some major love from the progressive community . Let's keep it real and support someone who's all about fighting for workers and justice!

Garlin Gilchrist is lookin' like a solid choice for governor He got a lot of people behind him with his advocacy for working folks and those tryin' to rebuild their lives after they've served time. The Clean Slate Program is a game changer, it's gonna make a huge difference in the lives of people who are tryin' to get back on track. Tlaib's endorsement means a lot comin' from her, she knows what it's like to have a seat at the table and fight for the people you care about. It'll be interesting to see how he stacks up against the other candidates in the primary

omg u gotta feel good about this!!! Rashida Tlaib is straight up supporting Garlin Gilchrist for governor and it's like, totally energizing for progressives and Arab American voters in Michigan!!! She's all about him having a strong record on working people and labor unions, plus he's got that Clean Slate Program thing going on which helps people with past convictions get their records cleared after they're done serving time . I'm low-key impressed that he's not afraid to speak out against Israel's military actions and refused donations from pro-Israel groups . And can we talk about how cool it is that Rashida Tlaib is endorsing him because she knows he's got the backs of families and people who've been through hard times ? I'm def rooting for Garlin now!!!

im loving this endorsement gotta say, garlin gilchrist seems like the real deal - his stance on israel's military actions is definitely making waves and i appreciate that he's not afraid to speak truth to power also, the clean slate program sounds like a total game changer for people rebuilding their lives after incarceration. it's about time we started giving second chances instead of perpetuating systemic barriers rashida tlaib's endorsement is a major boost for his campaign and i think he's got a solid shot at the nomination

I think Rashida Tlaib's endorsement of Garlin Gilchrist is a big deal for Michigan voters, especially working-class families and those with a history of incarceration. The Clean Slate Program is a game-changer for people trying to rebuild their lives after serving time, and it sounds like Gilchrist has been a strong ally on this issue. It's also interesting that his criticism of Israel's military actions has resonated with Arab American communities in Michigan – I think that kind of authenticity can be super powerful on the campaign trail. On the flip side, we should be paying attention to how Gilchrist plans to address the state budget and economic growth if he becomes governor.

I'm kinda torn about this... I think it's awesome that Rashida Tlaib is backing Garlin Gilchrist, but at the same time, I'm a bit skeptical about his ties to certain groups... like, I get what he's saying about workers and second chances, but can we really trust him with those big bucks from progressive donors? And what about his stance on Israel, it seems kinda clear-cut for some ppl, but others might see it differently... anyway, I guess we'll just have to wait & see how this all plays out!

omg i'm so hyped!! rashida tlaib endorsing garlin gilchrist is like a dream come true!!! i mean who wouldn't want to support someone who believes in giving people second chances and fighting for working people?? the clean slate program is literally a game changer and i love how garlin has been vocal about it too tlaib's endorsement is going to bring so much energy to the campaign and i'm literally rooting for him to win