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Duggan
launched
his
independent
bid in
December
2024,
declaring
he was
not
running
to be
the
Democrats'
governor
or the
Republicans'
governor
but
running
to be
the
people's
governor.
(Photo
by
Duggan
campaign) |
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Mike
Duggan
Calls It
Quits in
Michigan
Governor
Race
Marc
Kennedy
-
National-Politics
Tell Us
Detroit
News
Bureau
DETROIT
- Former
Detroit
Mayor
Mike
Duggan
has
ended
his
independent
campaign
for
Michigan
governor,
citing
unfavorable
polling
and an
inability
to
compete
with the
fundraising
power of
the
major
political
parties.
Duggan
announced
his
withdrawal
on
Thursday,
May 21,
2026, in
a letter
to
supporters
less
than six
months
before
the
November
general
election.
The
decision
sends
shockwaves
through
Michigan's
political
landscape,
opening
up
support
in what
had
become
one of
the
country's
most
closely
watched
gubernatorial
races.
Duggan
outlined
several
factors
that led
to his
decision.
Internal
polls
showed
Duggan
trailing
Democratic
nominee
Gretchen
Benson
by 11
points
and
slipping.
Independent
campaigns
lack the
national
fundraising
networks
available
to
Democrats
and
Republicans.
The war
in Iran
and
rising
gas
prices
have
united
Democrats
and
independents,
reducing
space
for an
independent
run.
Duggan
stated
he no
longer
believed
the
campaign
could
win.
While 94
percent
of
Duggan's
fundraising
came
from
Michigan
donors,
he
acknowledged
the need
for a
national
network
to
compete
with the
enormous
resources
available
to
party-backed
candidates.
Duggan
launched
his
independent
bid in
December
2024,
declaring
he was
not
running
to be
the
Democrats'
governor
or the
Republicans'
governor
but
running
to be
the
people's
governor.
After
more
than a
year of
campaigning,
he
concluded
the race
was no
longer
viable.
The
Democratic
and
Republican
primaries
will
determine
the
major-party
nominees
for
governor
on
August
4, 2026.
Duggan's
withdrawal
leaves
his
supporters
up for
grabs in
a
marquee
governor's
race. He
has not
endorsed
any
candidate
and said
he has
not
spoken
with
anyone
about
job
opportunities,
including
rumors
of
becoming
the next
President
of the
University
of
Michigan.
Political
analysts
note
that
Duggan's
exit
alleviates
the
pressure
on
Benson
to
secure
Detroit's
support,
as the
Democratic
nominee
now
faces
less
competition
from a
popular
former
mayor
who
historically
crossed
party
lines.
In his
statement,
Duggan
reflected
that he
knew the
Independent
route
was
filled
with
challenge.
Even
against
those
odds,
the
excitement
for real
change
carried
this
campaign
upward
for more
than a
year. It
was a
remarkable
experience.
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