Democratic Party leaders in the swing state of Michigan are reportedly in shock after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced he would run as an independent — not a Democrat — in his candidacy for Michigan governor.
Duggan’s decision to ditch the Democrats at a low point for the party in the state could completely reshaping the 2026 race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“It’s clear to me that there are a lot of people in this country who are tired of both parties and tired of the system,” Duggan, 66, told the Associated Press. “I’m not running to be the Democrats’ governor or the Republicans’ governor. I’m running to be your governor.”
The surprise move by the longtime Democrat comes as Michigan grapples with dramatically shifting political winds.
The state narrowly backed President-elect Donald Trump in November while electing Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin to the Senate, showcasing its new battleground status.
In 2014, I said I wanted to be judged by one thing, is the population in Detroit increasing? For the first time since 1957, the population in Detroit is officially growing again. I have done what I set out to do. Thank you to my staff and the great people of the City of Detroit. https://t.co/5vidQJcpWb pic.twitter.com/QZAuavBu5m
— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) November 13, 2024
For years, Michigan was considered a vital part of the Democratic Party’s national “Blue Wall” strategy until Republicans first flipped the state in 2016 for Trump.
Duggan’s decision could destroy Democrats’ hopes of retaining the governorship. The party’s potential top candidates to face Duggan include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and state Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow.
“Does he want his legacy to be putting a Republican in office that will turn back the progress of the last eight years in Michigan?” Democratic strategist Andrew Feldman complained, noting Duggan’s previous political alliances with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Duggan enters the race as a popular candidate and Detroit’s first white mayor since the 1970s. Under his leadership, the city emerged from bankruptcy, balanced budgets, reduced violent crime, and recorded its first population increase since the 1950s.
“Voters do not care about political parties. They care about results and Mayor Duggan gets results,” said Mark Bernstein, a University of Michigan regent.
“Many Republicans feel estranged from the Republican Party and many Democrats feel alienated by the Democratic Party.”
Michigan has never elected an independent governor, and the state’s straight-ticket voting option favors major parties. Duggan must collect between 12,000 and 60,000 signatures across seven congressional districts to make the ballot.
“You have a legislature that’s almost evenly divided that makes the stakes of each issue become magnified,” Duggan said. “It has gotten harder and harder to address things as the partisan climate has gotten more toxic.”
The Republican field could include Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former Attorney General Mike Cox, and U.S. Rep. John James, with 2022 nominee Tudor Dixon considering another run.