How Mike Duggan’s independent campaign for governor fell apart

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his independent bid for Michigan governor on Thursday, citing poor polling and fundraising challenges. Duggan, who ran as an independent after decades as a Democrat, blamed national political tensions—including President Donald Trump’s policies, rising gas prices, and the war in Iran—for his campaign’s decline. Internal and Detroit Regional Chamber polling showed him 11 points behind Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, with Republican U.S. Rep. John James trailing in third place. Duggan acknowledged in a letter to supporters that his campaign struggled to define a clear platform, alienating both Democrats and Republicans while failing to secure consistent funding. He noted that while he once led in polls, his support had dropped to 23%, leaving him unable to compete effectively in a three-way race. Duggan also admitted that his campaign risked splitting the vote, undermining his goal of reducing partisan conflict rather than acting as a spoiler. The campaign’s collapse was further highlighted by the Detroit Regional Chamber’s endorsement of Duggan, which lost credibility as polls showed him falling behind Benson. Duggan had previously surged to a near-tie with Benson in February, but by May, his support had eroded significantly. Progressive groups like Progress Michigan criticized his strategy, arguing that his attempts to appeal to Trump supporters were misguided. Duggan’s campaign had struggled to balance his past as a Detroit mayor with his new role as an independent candidate, facing criticism for both his record and his shifting stances on key issues. Despite his efforts to position himself as a unifying figure, the campaign’s lack of clarity and financial constraints ultimately led to its suspension. Duggan’s exit leaves the race between Benson and James, with the former trailing in fundraising but leading in public support.