“This office has more data and information about Michiganders than any other department. At a time when big tech companies are trying to mine that data, my technology background makes me the best person to protect that data and information from that kind of surveillance and data-mining in a way that nobody else can,” Gilchrist said.

The decision leaves the race for Michigan’s Democratic nomination for governor largely between current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.