Former Detroit mayor Mike Duggan has exited the gubernatorial race. Zoe Clark discussed the implications of this decision on Stateside. You can listen to the full segment in the audio file above.
Amid escalating political tensions and rising gas prices linked to President Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Thursday he is halting his campaign for Michigan governor. Duggan, traditionally a Democrat, sought the governorship as an independent, aiming to succeed Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is barred from running again due to term limits. Duggan cited the charged political environment as a significant challenge, telling The Associated Press that Democrats were uniting against Washington’s current trajectory, making his campaign path difficult.
“Democrat anger against Trump and Republicans is extremely high,” Duggan remarked. “In 60 days there’s been a huge change in the attitudes of this country. People are feeling the pain at the pump and are angry about it.”
Michigan has never elected an independent governor, and historically, third-party candidates face uphill battles in gubernatorial races. Duggan’s decision to run as an independent seemed to amplify the challenges already present. “As long as I knew there was a path for victory, I was going to fight,” Duggan said. “I don’t see a likely path to win.”
Toxic Political Landscape
The geopolitical situation has had tangible effects on everyday life, with oil prices surging over 50% since the onset of the Iran conflict in February. As of Thursday, AAA Michigan reported the state’s average gas price at $4.74 per gallon, higher than the national average of $4.56. Comparatively, prices were much lower a year ago, with Michigan at $3.13 and the national average at $3.18.
President Trump has consistently stated that gas prices will decrease once the war concludes, though he has not provided a timeline for this resolution. The current situation has impacted Trump’s approval ratings on economic issues; AP-NORC polling indicates a slight dip since the Iran conflict began. A recent poll showed a decline in Republican support for Trump’s economic policies, with approval falling from 8 in 10 to 6 in 10.
In the gubernatorial race, Duggan was trailing behind Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican U.S. Rep. John James. Other candidates include Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, running as a Democrat, and Republican businessman Perry Johnson. Michigan’s primary is scheduled for August 4, with the general election on November 3.
In December 2024, Duggan announced his gubernatorial bid, surprising many by choosing to run independently. At the time, he expressed a desire to provide voters with “a choice,” reflecting a sentiment that many were disillusioned with the traditional party system.
“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 stated. He highlighted the increasing difficulty of addressing issues due to the polarized political climate.
Duggan’s decision came as Michigan played a crucial role in aiding Trump’s 2024 re-election. “I’ve done everything I know how to do for almost a year and a half,” Duggan said. “You could feel the mood of this state wanting the toxic partisanship to end. They wanted the parties to work together.”
Reactions from Political Circles
Having served as Detroit’s mayor for 12 years, Duggan was first elected in November 2013 during the city’s bankruptcy under a state-appointed emergency manager. As Detroit’s first white mayor since the 1970s, he is credited with helping the city recover and become more vibrant post-bankruptcy.
Despite his long-standing Democratic affiliation, Duggan faced criticism from his former party, who feared he might siphon votes from their candidate. “I was running to change politics, not to be a spoiler,” he stated.
Following Duggan’s gubernatorial bid announcement, former Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley commented on social media about Duggan’s potential as a “credible, independent candidate with the ability to raise money,” while also noting the challenges of lacking party support and facing attacks from both sides.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released a statement expressing gratitude for Duggan’s service to Detroit and Michigan: “While we’ve had disagreements, the Mayor brought crucial ideas to this race and we appreciate his commitment to bringing people together. As we look ahead, we welcome Mayor Duggan’s supporters into our growing coalition as we work to elect a Democratic governor this November who will continue to move Michigan forward.”
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