LANSING — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan made political shockwaves Wednesday by announcing his independent run for governor of Michigan, breaking with the Democratic Party and surprising political analysts with his decision.
“If there’s a time where a third party candidate, independent candidate, can be successful, it’s now,” said David Dulio, an Oakland University political science professor. “We’re at or near an all time high of the percentage of Americans who report that they are independent and not tied to either of the major parties.”
First elected as a democrat in 1987, Duggan served as a Wayne County executive and prosecutor before his run for mayor in 2013.
Duggan has been reelected twice since then.
Political analysts say his decision to leave the democratic party could provide a host of advantages and possible disadvantages.
“Running as independent has certain advantages, right? You can claim to represent the people and not a party,” said Scott LaDeur, a political science professor at North Central Michigan College. “You are seen by voters as an outsider, maybe someone who isn’t beholden to factions and parties in Lansing.”
While Duggan may be hoping to capitalize on dissatisfaction with the two-party system, experts say much of the campaign’s work would be more difficult without previously established infrastructure.
His position may also enable him to break from policies of either party without alienating as many voters.
“It also allows him to adopt a kind of grab bag of political positions that might not be tenable for your average Democrat or average Republican, but he might be able to sit in the center and grab some ideas from Democrats and some ideas from Republicans,” LaDeur said.
Duggan is the first candidate to officially enter the race.
Both parties are starting off with a bench of potential candidates.
Democrats have Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, while Republicans have 2022 gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon and 2024 US senate candidate Mike Rogers.
None of those names have made their 2026 plans known, but have left open the possibility for a run.
Analysts say Duggan could end up drawing voters away from both parties, unintentionally helping elect a winner with a minority of the vote.
“It all depends on how duggan positions himself, the issues he chooses to highlight, the positions he takes, and what he tells voters that if elected, he would intend to do,” LaDeur said.
