"We must stand tall against these attacks on our people," the lieutenant governor said. "We must fight for what matters. We must protect our people."

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a software engineer from Detroit, entered a growing Democratic primary field for governor in a period of uncertainty for his party.

Gilchrist is now one of six running for Michigan’s top office. State House minority leader Eric Nesbit and Genesis County Republican Anthony Hudson of Grand Blanc are running on the Republican side. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent.