Mike Duggan Ends Independent Michigan Governor Campaign

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his independent campaign for Michigan governor on Thursday, citing a toxic political climate and a challenging electoral landscape. Duggan, a longtime Democrat who launched his bid as an independent, said he no longer saw a viable path to victory.

Duggan attributed his decision to a significant shift in the national political mood over the past two months, driven by rising gas prices and the conflict involving Iran. He stated that anger among Democratic voters toward President Donald Trump and Republicans had intensified, making it difficult for him to attract the cross-party support his campaign needed. Duggan told The Associated Press that Democrats who might have backed him were galvanizing against the situation in Washington.

He also pointed to recent polling and fundraising figures. Duggan said internal and public polls showed him trailing the leading Democratic candidate, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Republican U.S. Rep. John James. A recent Detroit Regional Chamber poll showed Benson at 34 percent, James at 29 percent, and Duggan at 23 percent in a hypothetical general election matchup. Duggan added that he was...