Former Detroit mayor blows governor’s race wide open in surprise move

By Fox News · Fox News

Former Detroit Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan announced he is suspending his independent campaign for Michigan governor, turning the three-way contest to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer into a typical partisan race in the blue-trending state. Duggan was a popular mayor of the Motor City who garnered sizable support in his first unsuccessful write-in campaign and forged relationships with key city stakeholders like Ford Motor Company Chairman Bill Ford Jr., an early backer of his gubernatorial bid. As a former Democrat, conventional wisdom held that his presence hurt Democratic nominee Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, while his moderate positioning was also considered attractive to Republicans who otherwise might support GOP nominee Rep. John James. NBC News reporter Henry Gomez said on X that Democrats had been "hitting him almost as hard as John James" and that the move was likely "welcome news" for the left in the Great Lakes State. SWING STATE GOVERNOR'S RACE GETS CURVEBALL AS TOP DEM RUNS INDEPENDENT, SPARKING CALLS FOR BUTTIGIEG TO ENTER "Dear Michigan, I’ve decided to suspend my campaign," Duggan announced via public letter Thursday. "We knew the independent route was filled with challenge. Even against those odds, the excitement for real change carried this campaign upward for more than a year," he said. Duggan dismissed claims he was trying to be a "spoiler" for either side and instead aimed to change the tenor of national politics . "I’m still hopeful our campaign will prove to have a real long-term impact," Duggan said. "I will never be able to express the gratitude I feel for all your support and encouragement. I wish I could have done better for you." When he announced his run, Duggan pointed to his family history and his own political evolution as evidence a change is needed in government. MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT QUITS POLITICS, SAYS PARTY'S AGENDA BETRAYED HER FAITH He told BridgeDetroit his late father supported former President Ronald Reagan bu…