Let’s be very clear about this. If Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan runs for governor as an “independent,” it will hand the Republicans the governorship. Period.
All you need is elementary school math to figure this out. At least 40% of the electorate will vote reflexively for any Republican. They could nominate a cardboard cut-out and 40% of voters would still pull the “R” lever. Then when Betsy DeVos weighs in with her billionaire money, count on at least a few more percent. Let’s say the absolute minimum for any Republican candidate is 45%.
The simple math here is that a strong Democratic candidate, running alone under a unified Democratic Party, has an excellent shot at beating any Republican in 2026… especially given the likely bad taste from so many in response to President Donald Trump. (In that scenario, the out-of-state big money Republicans would write off Michigan and not pour in their millions into the campaign.)
But if the “non-Republican” vote is split by having another Democrat-type person running as a third party independent, a Republican could easily win the election with 45% of the vote! (Particularly since Duggan would largely draw votes from the Democratic stronghold of Detroit.) Moreover, that scenario would open the floodgates of out-of-state Republican billionaires to pour money into the campaign. (In fact, you can already see that much of Duggan’s campaign is being funded by Republican interests… in hopes of creating that three-candidate scenario.)
In addition to this obvious self-destructive math, there is no plausible argument that Michigan needs a third party “moderate” alternative in the executive branch. The leadership in Michigan under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (and Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson) has certainly not been “extreme left”… and quite frankly has been very successful in many regards. The period of 2023-2024 when the Democrats held the trifecta of Governor, House, and Senate, saw some tremendous policy successes. The currently leading announced Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Benson, has shown to be a very effective administrator, and by no means at all someone with extreme partisan views. Duggan’s proposed third party candidacy is a solution in search of a problem. But worse yet, it would without question allow the election of a MAGA type candidate that the Republicans are most likely to nominate.
Finally, let me disabuse anyone who thinks that Duggan could actually attract Republican votes and win the election. Once he is officially on the ballot, all this early Republican money pushing his campaign will move to support the Republican candidate… and Mr. Duggan will be branded with the “Double-D” curse that will ruin any chance of getting out-state Republican votes. After all, no matter how he labels himself, Duggan is the Democratic mayor of Detroit.
The 2026 election is going to be absolutely crucial for the future of Michigan. There is so much at stake, and the differences between the two parties could not be more extreme. This is not the time for an ego-driven exercise or some kind of protest vote.
Please Mr. Duggan, if you care about the future of Michigan, and your beloved Detroit, end this ill-fated independent campaign. Surely there is some other way you can make a meaningful contribution to all of our futures.
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Martin Kushler Ph.D.
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