Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s announcement that he’s running for governor of Michigan as an independent has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape.
For a lifelong Democrat who has built his career on the party’s infrastructure, this decision raises crucial questions about his motivations, the implications for Michigan’s political future, and whether an independent campaign can succeed in a polarized two-party system.
Duggan’s tenure as Detroit mayor has been characterized by pragmatic governance and an emphasis on economic development. Yet his leadership has not been without controversy. From allegations of tax giveaways to wealthy developers to tensions over affordable housing and water shutoffs, Duggan’s record has drawn both praise and sharp criticism.
So why leave the Democratic Party now?
One possibility is a strategic calculation. Several high-profile Democrats are expected to run for governor, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Duggan, a centrist who often champions business-friendly policies, may see an independent run as his best chance to sidestep a bruising primary battle with more progressive challengers. By running as an independent, Duggan positions himself as a candidate who can appeal to moderates and disaffected voters across the political spectrum — a pragmatic problem-solver rather than a partisan warrior.
Running as an independent isn’t Duggan’s first departure from political convention. In 2013, he defied the odds with a write-in campaign that propelled him to the general election, where he defeated Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon and became the city's first white mayor since the early 1970s.
Before becoming mayor, Duggan held roles as deputy county executive, Wayne County prosecutor, and CEO of the Detroit Medical Center. He moved from Livonia to Detroit to run for mayor.
Political analyst Ed Sarpolus believes Duggan’s decision to run as an independent gives him the best chance of winning. While Democrats battle each other over divisive issues, Duggan can travel across the state and talk about everyday concerns that are important to all voters, like jobs, Sarpolus says.
“In his mind, while the Democrats are battling it out in the primary, he has a year and a half to talk about issues around the state,” Sarpolus, a consultant with the firm Target Insyght, tells Metro Times. “If he’s going to win, he needs to talk to all voters.”
Duggan’s bid underscores a growing trend of dissatisfaction with the two-party system, both nationally and in Michigan. His move mirrors a broader phenomenon where politicians and voters alike express frustration with hyper-partisanship and ideological gridlock. An independent Duggan campaign could test whether Michigan voters are ready to embrace a candidate who claims to prioritize results over party loyalty.
But there are risks. Duggan’s candidacy could siphon votes from the Democratic nominee, potentially clearing the path for a Republican victory. In a closely divided state like Michigan, even a modest shift in votes could have significant consequences. If Duggan pulls votes from urban and suburban areas while Republicans maintain strong rural support, his campaign could inadvertently tip the scales.
But Sarpolus isn’t so sure. Duggan is popular among many Republicans, including wealthy ones who primarily funded his mayoral campaign. Duggan has forged strong relationships with business leaders, but is also popular with labor unions.
Duggan’s father, Patrick Duggan, was a Republican and a federal judge.
In his three terms as mayor, Duggan has built a reputation as a coalition builder focused on results.
“He’s learning from the past,” Sarpolus says. “Duggan understands he has to convince voters to love him. He has to carry that message to northern and West Michigan without having to battle the same issues that Vice President Kamala Harris did.”
Winning as an independent won’t be easy. Michigan’s electoral system, like most in the U.S., is structured to favor the two major parties. Independent candidates face steep hurdles in fundraising, ballot access, and media attention.
But Duggan’s existing name recognition and broad political network will help.
Duggan will need to articulate a compelling vision that resonates with a wide swath of voters, Sarpolus says. His success depends on whether he can convince Michiganders that he offers something fundamentally different — not just a rejection of partisanship, but a positive, unifying agenda.
“Running as an independent gives him an opportunity to talk about all issues,” Sarpolus says. “It's the smartest thing he could do. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it takes away the problems he would have to deal with in the primary. He wouldn’t be able to talk to all voters.”
In his statement announcing his gubernatorial run, Duggan said he was fed up with the partisan bickering and emphasized his desire to build a broad, bipartisan coalition focused on improving the lives of Michiganders.
“The political fighting and the nonsense that once held back Detroit is too often what we’re seeing across Michigan today,” Duggan said. “The current system forces people to choose sides — not find solutions. It’s time to change that. I intend to bring together Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — and our young people, far too many of whom have given up on our political system — together to move Michigan forward.”
Duggan’s decision to run as an independent could be viewed as a bold attempt to disrupt Michigan’s political status quo — or as a risky move that jeopardizes his political future and his party’s chances of retaining the governor’s mansion. Either way, it’s a gamble that will test the limits of Michigan’s political system and Duggan’s own ability to forge a new path in an era of entrenched partisanship.
As Duggan’s campaign unfolds, voters will be watching closely to see if his message resonates — and if Michigan is ready to embrace a new kind of politics. Whether Duggan’s move inspires hope, skepticism, or resentment, one thing is clear: His independent bid for governor is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing — and consequential — political stories of the year.
