Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announces bid for governor as independent

Duggan released a video shortly after the news was first reported by the Associated Press

Duggan says he became mayor by spending time in living rooms like this one. Mike Duggan/Youtube

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is going to run for Michigan governor as an independent, he announced Wednesday.

“I was always keenly aware that my approach didn’t fit comfortably inside the dogma of either of the two political parties,” he said in an announcement video.

The news was first reported by the Associated Press’ Detroit bureau.

Duggan, 66, is a polarizing figure among Detroit politicos but is viewed favorably with the general public. He referenced some accomplishments in city hall in his announcement, including being the first mayor to lead the city through a population increase in nearly 70 years.

His decision to leave the party comes after Democrats in Michigan failed to keep their state blue in the presidential election and their state government trifecta, after voters in 2022 sent them to lead both legislative chambers for the first time in 60 years.