Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan spoke to students at Central Michigan University on Monday. He is running as an independent in the 2026 governor’s race in hopes of capitalizing on dissatisfaction with the two major parties.
“The working people have completely lost confidence in the Democratic Party,” Duggan told CMU students. “My father was a Republican, a proud Republican. He was for a free trade, and standing up to the Russians, and balanced budgets. That's not the Republican Party today.”
He cited his success as Detroit mayor in bringing down crime and attracting business. He also touted his personal approach to campaigning for mayor. Duggan detailed plans to talk to voters across the state, with a more positive message.
“When the election comes and you see all those TV commercials, ‘this person’s awful’…I don't say anything bad about anyone,” he said. “I'm talking about what I want to do for the state, and I don't know if that's going to work as a strategy, but I'm not going to be tearing anybody else down.” Duggan said he wasn’t worried about facing the Democratic and Republican nominees.
“My issue is folks out state don't know me and so the great majority of people in the state would like to see an independent governor,” Duggan said in an interview with WCMU after the event. “My job is to convince them that I'm the independent candidate they're looking for.”
Duggan cited improving K-12 schools and improving public safety as top priorities.
On the economy, Duggan said he wants more state investments in small rural areas. He cited large investments in the controversial Gotion plant as an example of a economic strategy he’d avoid as governor.
"I would like to see an economic development strategy that covers small towns across the state and not a few big bags," he said.
Michigan's governor is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act under current law. Duggan says he supports policy to change that.
“FOIA has applied every place I've been and it should apply to the governor and the legislature as well,” Duggan added.
He also said that he’s working to help people impacted by a water main break in southwest Detroit earlier this month.
