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Mayor Mike Duggan Victory Speech November 2nd, 2021 Election
As expected, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Wednesday he is running for governor in 2026. What wasn't anticpated by many was that the Democratic mayor would run as an Independent.
“I'm not running to be the Democrats' governor or the Republicans' governor. I'm running to be your governor,” Duggan said in a statement . “The political fighting and the nonsense that once held back Detroit is too often what we’re seeing across Michigan today. The current system forces people to choose sides—not find solutions. It’s time to change that."
The run as an Independent will allow him to forgo a battle in the Democratic primary against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and perhaps Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II.
Political commentator Adolph Mongo, host of the podcast, "Detroit in Black and White," says he's not surprised that Duggan is running as an Independent.
"I guess he sees that the road to Lansing is through a coalition of moderate Republicans who don't buy into the MAGA b.s., and folks that want somebody that's different from the Democratic Party."
"Running as a Democrat, they don't have the the usual support that they've had in the past from African Americans and Arabs and labor. Some of those folks are either sitting it out or not voting for the Democratic candidates."
"He probably had looked at the presidential campaign first hand and saw that the unions didn't deliver these organizations statewide."
Mongo also noted that others who have run as Independents for governor and U.S. Senate in other states have won.
Gilchrist who has had his eyes on the governor's seat, could have had an easier path to victory in 2026 had Kamala Harris won the presidential election. Under that scenario, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could have gotten an appointment in the Harris administration, leaving Gilchrist to fill in the remainder of her term while running for the seat in 2026.
Shortly after the announcement, Bill Ford Jr., executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., issued a statement endorsing Duggan, according to the Detroit News.
"Mike is a visionary leader with the intelligence and tenacity to achieve what many might deem impossible," Ford said. "... Michigan is a state of remarkable strength, with rich industrial capabilities, abundant natural resources, and world-class educational institutions. I firmly believe Mike Duggan has the vision, experience, and determination to help our state thrive and realize its full potential."
INBOX: The first endorsement of the Mike Duggan independent campaign governor...
— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) December 4, 2024
Bill Ford Jr., executive chairman of @Ford. pic.twitter.com/yfxlvufBmJ
