LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Former Detroit mayor Mike Duggan ended his independent campaign for Michigan governor Thursday, conceding that a rapidly shifting national political climate and growing financial disadvantages left him without what he called a “realistic” path to victory.
During his concession speech, Duggan argued his campaign still exposed something deeper about Michigan voters: a growing frustration with partisan politics and a hunger for candidates focused more on governing than ideological warfare.
“I was trying to change politics,” Duggan said. “I never ran to be a spoiler.”
Duggan launched his gubernatorial bid more than a year ago after opting not to run as a Democrat, instead attempting a rare independent campaign centered on bipartisan problem-solving. Throughout the race, he argued Michigan voters were exhausted by what he repeatedly described as “toxic” Democratic and Republican fighting in Lansing.
For much of the campaign, Duggan said he believed that message was resonating. He pointed to packed town halls across the state, growing union support and polling earlier this year that showed broad openness among both Democrats and Republicans to backing an independent candidate.
“In February, I absolutely believed that 40% was achievable,” Duggan said. “People are so frustrated with their children not reading in school. They are enormously frustrated young people can’t afford housing in every corner of the state.”
He described a coalition that cut across ideological lines, saying his goal was always to attract “20% from the right, 20% from the left, and win by 40.”
For months, Duggan said, that strategy appeared viable. His campaign held more than 150 town halls and community meetings statewide, while fundraising efforts brought in substantial support from Michigan donors. Duggan noted that 94% of campaign donations came from within the state.
But Duggan said national politics ultimately overwhelmed the campaign’s message.
He repeatedly pointed to rising anger among Democratic voters over President Donald Trump’s handling of the war in Iran and increasing gas prices, which he said fundamentally reshaped the electorate over the past two months.
“Democrats (and many Independents) were unified in anger as Trump’s war in Iran dragged on and gas prices rose above $5 a gallon,” Duggan wrote in a letter announcing his withdrawal.
During Thursday’s remarks, Duggan said internal polling showed Democratic energy surging nationally, while support for independent candidacies weakened as voters became increasingly focused on defeating Republicans.
“When the last poll came out … that said we were down 11 points, and again slipping, we had to deal with reality,” Duggan said. “The path is not realistic.”
He also acknowledged the structural challenges facing independent candidates in modern statewide races, arguing Democrats and Republicans benefit from entrenched national fundraising systems that independents still lack.
“Somebody will follow me,” Duggan predicted. “But I think the first person who breaks through is going to be the person who can self-fund.”
Even while ending the campaign, Duggan insisted the movement behind it remains politically significant. He argued his final polling numbers showed millions of voters remain dissatisfied with both parties and are looking for candidates willing to work across ideological lines.
“Twenty-three percent support means more than 1.6 million Michigan voters are today looking for a governor candidate serious about reducing the toxic partisan politics,” Duggan wrote.
His exit now leaves uncertainty surrounding where independent and moderate voters may migrate in the months leading up to the August primary and November general election.
On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are viewed as leading contenders for the nomination.
Among Republicans, businessman Perry Johnson and U.S. Rep. John James remain prominent figures in the developing field.
In a statement, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel thanked Duggan for his service and welcomed his supporters into the Democratic coalition.
“We’re grateful to Mayor Mike Duggan for his service to the city of Detroit and our entire state,” Hertel said. “While we’ve had disagreements, the Mayor brought crucial ideas to this race and we appreciate his commitment to bringing people together.”
Benson also praised Duggan’s tone and approach to the campaign.
“At a time when politics can feel divided and cynical, we need more civility, more listening, and more people willing to work together to move our state forward,” Benson said in a statement.
UPDATE (5/21/2026 3:37 PM): Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. John James also issued a statement following Duggan’s withdrawal, thanking the former Detroit mayor for his public service while emphasizing shared concerns about the direction of the state.
“I want to thank Mike Duggan for his years of service to the people of Michigan and Detroit,” James said. “I respect anyone willing to step into the arena and serve something bigger than themselves.”
James said that despite policy disagreements, both men recognize “Michigan is headed in the wrong direction,” adding that the state has experienced “too much decline and political dysfunction.”
The Republican candidate said he is prepared to “work with anyone willing to deliver real solutions, reject the politics of division, and fight for safer communities, stronger families and economic growth.”
UPDATE (5/21/2026 3:16 PM): Genesee County Sheriff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Swanson also responded to Duggan’s departure Thursday, thanking the former Detroit mayor for his public service and signaling an effort to appeal to Duggan’s supporters.
“As I say on the campaign trail about my fellow candidates for governor, they are ‘options not opponents,’” Swanson said in a statement. “I thank Mayor Mike Duggan for his service to Detroit and the passionate ideas he brought to the discussion about making Michigan a better place to live and work.”
Swanson added that his campaign is “building real momentum” and welcomed Duggan supporters “to the movement for the working class.”
UPDATE (5/21/2026 1:42 PM): An additional statement released Thursday through Fight Like Hell PAC included praise from Gretchen Whitmer for Duggan’s leadership and his decision to exit the race.
“Mike was a great leader as mayor of Detroit, and he put Michigan first today,” Whitmer said in the statement. “I share Mike’s focus on bringing people together at a time when so much in our politics is pulling us apart.”
Whitmer also argued Democrats are entering the 2026 cycle with political momentum, pointing to issues including costs, jobs and abortion rights.
“Democrats have momentum on our side because Michigan voters want leaders to tackle high costs, create jobs, protect our rights, and make Michigan the best place to live and raise a family,” Whitmer said. “That’s what Democrats do. I look forward to helping our Democratic nominee earn Duggan’s supporters’ votes and electing a Democratic governor of Michigan in November.”
Meanwhile, the Republican Governors Association used Duggan’s withdrawal to criticize Democratic leadership in Michigan and target Benson, arguing voters are dissatisfied with the direction of the state.
“Mike Duggan is right on one thing: Democrat leadership is not serving Michiganders. Education is in decline, housing costs are rising, and young people are leaving in droves,” said RGA Communications Director Kollin Crompton. “Jocelyn Benson represents toxic partisan politics to its core…. Michigan families deserve a governor who is willing to fight for change, not continue the decline Michigan has faced for years.”
Duggan insisted his campaign was never intended to act as a spoiler and said he hopes it leaves a lasting impact on Michigan politics.
“More than 1.6 million Michigan voters are today looking for a Governor candidate serious about reducing the toxic partisan politics,” he wrote.
Mike Duggan’s Full Letter
Dear Friends,
I am so disappointed to have to write you this letter.
For the last 18 months I’ve worked every day to try to change Michigan’s toxic party politics. I’ve been supported by hundreds of volunteers who believe deeply that years of constant Democratic-Republican conflict in Lansing have led to our schools declining, our housing costs rising, and our young people moving out of Michigan in record numbers.
We 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. In every one of the 5-10 town halls a week I was holding across Michigan, we hosted Democrat, Republican, and Independent neighbors all mixed together in lively and positive discussions. It was a remarkable experience.
But by April, the mood of the country had shifted suddenly and dramatically. Democrats (and many Independents) were unified in anger as Trump’s war in Iran dragged on and gas prices rose above $5 a gallon. On May 5, the Democratic State Senate candidate in Saginaw won 60% of the vote in a seat Republicans thought would be very competitive.
Against the Democratic headwinds, we worked twice as hard. We continued to pile up huge numbers of union endorsements, once the unions learned that Michigan election law allowed voters to vote both straight ticket Democrat and also vote Duggan as an Independent.
But for the public in general, our internal polling showed the intense anger over gas prices and Iran was boosting Democrats in every office nationally. The Chamber poll last week showing we’d fallen 11 points behind the Democratic candidate reflects that reality.
Being down 11 points in May wouldn’t discourage me – I’ve been down worse than that in the past. But this time it’s compounded by our inability to build serious national fundraising support. Michigan donors have been extraordinarily generous in supporting this campaign – 94% of my donors come from Michigan. We raised more instate than any other candidate.
But Governor’s campaigns are today funded overwhelmingly from well-established networks of national party money, which is why I’ve been all across America meeting with national groups to try to build a competitive fundraising network for Independents. There is much interest, but we’ve finally concluded the national fundraising for these groups is too much in its infancy to be of great help to our race in 2026. As generous as our Michigan donors have been, we will be strongly outspent by the national Republican and Democratic parties this fall.
If we were even in the polls and behind in fundraising, we have a path to winning. If we were behind in the polls and even in fundraising, we have a path. But we’re behind in both. It’s just not right to ask our volunteers, faith leaders, unions, elected officials and donors to continue in a campaign that, in my heart, I no longer feel good about our chances to win.
I got into this race to try to change our politics, not to be a spoiler. I’m still hopeful our campaign will prove to have a real long-term impact. 23% support in the last poll means more than 1.6 million Michigan voters are today looking for a Governor candidate serious about reducing the toxic partisan politics. If the candidates on the ballot this year take that message to heart and truly reach out to those voters, we will have accomplished something important.
I will never be able to express the gratitude I feel for all your support and encouragement. I wish I could have done better for you.
Mike
