Updates About Governor

Recently, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) will be under new leadership.

Now serving as acting director for the DTMB is Kyle Guerrant, replacing Michelle Lange. Guerrant left his position as deputy state budget director to accept the new job. He previously served as deputy superintendent of finance and operations for the Michigan Department of Education, interim director of state school reform in 2018, director of the Office of School Support Services at the department as well as acting manager of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program at the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Former State Representative Terry Sabo (D-Muskegon) was promoted from deputy director to director of the MVAA following the dismissal of Brian Love. Sabo served as State Rep. from 2017 to 2022. Prior to his election he served as Muskegon County Commissioner, and Muskegon County Road Commissioner. Before entering politics, Sabo was a police officer and fire fighter for over 25 years, and also served in the Air Force. He also volunteers with the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced recently that he is dropping out from the Gubernatorial race where he has been campaigning for the spot as Michigan’s next Democratic Governor, alongside frontrunner and current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

After bowing out of the race for Governor, Gilchrist announced that he is now seeking his party’s nomination for Secretary of State. His new opponents, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and former Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli, both criticized his decision in statements made on social media. Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie responded by exiting the race and has since endorsed Gilchrist, urging party unity while also admitting that Gilchrist’s entry shrunk his own path to victory.

At the 2025 annual meeting for the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), our very own Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, was unanimously elected to serve as vice chair. DGA is a political organization that lends support to Democratic gubernatorial candidates and fellow governors.

The organization has tasked Whitmer with aiding key Democratic candidates in their 2026 gubernatorial campaigns nationwide. As Governor of a swing state, Whitmer stated that she intends to apply the same approach that she used here in Michigan: focusing on lowering costs and creating jobs. She will serve alongside DGA chair-elect Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who succeeded her as vice chair prior to Whitmer’s appointment.