More big news out of Michigan, as Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist has endorsed Joe Biden for president.
In his endorsement Gilchrist points out Biden’s strength among African American voters, who in my opinion have powered Biden’s campaign into front runner status.
“I am proud to endorse* Joe Biden for president, because the vice president has been a friend to entire state of Michigan, especially the city of Detroit,” Gilchrist said on CNN.
Gilchrist said he believes the “momentum is building” for Biden, noting his strength with Black voters.
This is big, because Gilchrist supported and voted for Bernie Sanders in 2016 and now is with Biden.
The endorsement of Gilchrist, Michigan’s first African-American lieutenant governor, is significant, as the former President Barack Obama organizer voted for Sanders in the 2016 primary.
Gilchrist joins Gov. Whitmer in endorsing Biden.
In Whitmer’s endorsement she mentioned Biden having the back of the auto industry when the “chips were down”.
In an interview with the Advance on Thursday, Whitmer said that she’s “been watching this presidential race for the better part of the last year and a few months. I’m always focused on the dinner-table issues,” she said. “And I think that showing up and showing that you can get things done … When the chips were down with the auto industry, it was [President] Barack Obama and Joe Biden that had our back.”
As past and present Michigan politicians join in and endorse Biden, his momentum in Michigan grows. The list includes:
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (R-Rochester Hills), U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) and former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin.
On a personal note, this supporter of Joe Biden welcomes any Sanders supporters who may be considering joining his campaign.