DETROIT – Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has ended his independent bid for Michigan governor, reshaping the 2026 race into a traditional two-party contest and leaving analysts questioning whether any viable independent candidacy remains possible in the state.
Duggan announced his decision Thursday (May 21) on his campaign website before holding a news conference at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.
The longtime mayor was the first major candidate to enter the race after leaving City Hall.
Duggan cited weakening poll numbers and fundraising difficulties as the reasons he could no longer continue.
“We’ve been looking at these numbers every way that we are,”
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