Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s run for Michigan governor as an independent is shaking up politics as usual in the Wolverine State. And in Duggan’s eyes, his gubernatorial run will also prove dispositive in Michigan’s competitive downballot races.
Duggan served three terms as a Democratic mayor of Detroit before leaving the party when he launched his gubernatorial run. In polling of a three-way race between Duggan, likely Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson and likely GOP nominee Rep. John James, Duggan is averaging 21%. That figure is roughly 10 points behind the two major party candidates.
In an interview, Duggan was insistent he sees a path to victory. The former mayor is also confident that his bloc of support will play a critical role in toss-up House seats and the high-profile Senate race.
“The reality is going to be that in the House races, the U.S. Senate race, the only votes that are going to be up for grabs in September and October are going to be people voting Mike Duggan, independent for governor,” Duggan told us.
“The pollsters will be telling all those candidates, I don’t care about your party, you’re going to need those independent voters,” Duggan added.
View from the Hill. Michigan Democrats are concerned that Duggan’s candidacy will threaten Benson — the current secretary of state — and her chances of succeeding outgoing Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Per the RealClearPolitics polling average, James is running four points ahead of Benson.
“I’ve known Mike Duggan forever,” Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said. “It makes a complicated general election and I want to make sure he doesn’t elect a Republican. I take it seriously.”
For his part, Duggan criticizes Democrats for prioritizing an electability argument while refusing to engage in a debate about his policies.
James, the favorite to win the GOP nomination, was tight-lipped when we asked him about Duggan’s impact on the race.
“You should talk to Mike Duggan about Mike Duggan,” James said. “I take everyone seriously.”
Did James think that Duggan would take votes away from Republicans or Democrats?
“We shall see,” James said.
