Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he simply didn’t see a path to winning anymore, and that led to his announcement Thursday, May 21, that he would drop his independent bid to become Michigan’s next governor.
During a Thursday afternoon news conference at Huntington Place, the former mayor told gathered media he was grateful for the support of campaign staff and voters who were disillusioned with the two-party system in politics. But eroding poll numbers and an increasing price tag for the campaign leading up to the November election made it hard to stay in the race, Duggan said.
“We’re standing here today where I don’t think there is a path forward. And I never ran to be a spoiler. I was trying to change politics. I told everyone from the beginning, if there ever comes a point where I don’t think there’s a path forward, I won’t continue to pursue it,” Duggan said.
Duggan said the national political climate favored Democrats, citing the ongoing U.S. war in Iran and resulting higher gas prices. The campaign “had to deal with reality,” he said, adding he was unsure they had the resources to reach voters as an independent candidate.
“President [Donald] Trump started a war in Iran, gas prices are up over $5 a gallon, and people are angry,” he said. “And particularly Democrats and a lot of independents are angry.”
Recent polling commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber — whose political action arm had endorsed Duggan’s bid — found the former mayor was slipping in support. A May 12 survey found Duggan in third in a pair of three-way hypothetical races behind Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and Republican hopefuls U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, and businessman Perry Johnson. The polling also found Duggan’s support dwindling among voters who said they leaned Democratic or were independent.
Duggan said he would not endorse any other candidates before the August primary, but left open the possibility of an endorsement before the November election.
Duggan’s initial announcement that he’d left the Democratic Party to launch an independent bid in 2024 was surprising to many in Michigan. There’s little to no recent history of a successful independent candidate in Michigan, and there hasn’t been a governor who wasn’t a Republican or Democrat in the state since the 19th century. Still, Duggan picked up key early endorsements, like the Detroit Regional Chamber PAC and the statewide union Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. As recently as Monday at a United Auto Workers candidate forum, Duggan touted having support from both business and labor groups.
Some political analysts initially believed there was a path for Duggan’s independent bid — he was a three-term mayor of the state’s most populous city and could point to turnarounds in both violent crime statistics and Detroit’s population growth during his tenure. But Duggan didn’t have state and national party infrastructure to turn to for support, and he said he could no longer ask for support from donors and volunteers “in good conscience.”
“But as I’ve learned, funding for independent candidates is still in its infancy,” Duggan said. “We had to recognize the reality that if we were going to compete, it was going to have to be asking the Michigan donors to double down on what they’d already done.”
A successful independent campaign would likely have to be self-funded, Duggan said.
A dozen campaign staffers stood behind Duggan as he addressed the media. After he wrapped up, he gave his wife, Dr. Sonia Hassan, a big hug, followed by hugs and high-fives for his campaign staff. Several staffers appeared emotional, some showing tears.
Duggan denied speculation he ended his campaign to pursue another job. He didn’t announce immediate career plans, but said he expects to take his son Patrick to a World Cup game and spend time with his family.
He said his son called and asked, “Can we go to the World Cup game now?” The two went to previous World Cup matches, but he initially told his son his campaign schedule wouldn’t allow him to leave. However, they plan to potentially watch Argentina play.
“He was like, ‘You took me to the World Cup in Brazil and Qatar, and you can’t go in the United States?’ But with a campaign schedule, I couldn’t. I know I’m going to be taking my son to a World Cup game,” Duggan said.
His wife, Hassan, also weighed in on his decision to drop out.
“I’m sad for Michigan because of all these problems, but I’m happy for more family time,” Hassan said.
Duggan’s departure from the race creates a traditional two-party matchup for governor. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are running for the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side of the race, former Attorney General Mike Cox; U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township; businessman Perry Johnson, and state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, are all seeking the nomination.
Michigan voters will select who advances to the November election during the statewide primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Duggan says he dropped governor bid after seeing no ‘path forward’
Reporting by Arpan Lobo and Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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