Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's decision to run for governor as an independent could prove disastrous for Michigan Democrats. By doing so, he would essentially hand the Republicans a chance to win the election.
Mathematically, it's simple: if at least 40% of voters reflexively support any Republican candidate, and billionaire backer Betsy DeVos injects even more money into the campaign, the Republican candidate could easily surpass 45%, guaranteeing their victory. The problem is that Duggan would likely lose votes from Detroit, his strong Democratic stronghold.
Moreover, splitting the "non-Republican" vote by running a third-party independent Democrat could lead to a Republican winning with just 45% of the vote, thanks to out-of-state billionaires pouring money into the campaign.
Duggan's proposed candidacy is a self-destructive move that would give Republicans a chance to elect a far-right candidate, such as a "MAGA" type, who would be the antithesis of what Michigan has achieved under Democratic leaders like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel.
It's also unlikely that Duggan could attract significant Republican support. Once he officially enters the race, all the money spent by Republicans to sway voters towards him would shift to their own candidate, damaging any potential for Duggan to secure out-of-state support.
The 2026 election is crucial for Michigan's future, with stark differences between the two parties on the line. This isn't a time for an ego-driven campaign or a protest vote; it's time for pragmatism and unity among Democrats.
Duggan should reconsider his decision and explore other ways to contribute meaningfully to the state's future.
Mathematically, it's simple: if at least 40% of voters reflexively support any Republican candidate, and billionaire backer Betsy DeVos injects even more money into the campaign, the Republican candidate could easily surpass 45%, guaranteeing their victory. The problem is that Duggan would likely lose votes from Detroit, his strong Democratic stronghold.
Moreover, splitting the "non-Republican" vote by running a third-party independent Democrat could lead to a Republican winning with just 45% of the vote, thanks to out-of-state billionaires pouring money into the campaign.
Duggan's proposed candidacy is a self-destructive move that would give Republicans a chance to elect a far-right candidate, such as a "MAGA" type, who would be the antithesis of what Michigan has achieved under Democratic leaders like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel.
It's also unlikely that Duggan could attract significant Republican support. Once he officially enters the race, all the money spent by Republicans to sway voters towards him would shift to their own candidate, damaging any potential for Duggan to secure out-of-state support.
The 2026 election is crucial for Michigan's future, with stark differences between the two parties on the line. This isn't a time for an ego-driven campaign or a protest vote; it's time for pragmatism and unity among Democrats.
Duggan should reconsider his decision and explore other ways to contribute meaningfully to the state's future.
and man, that plot twist was insane! like, who saw it coming? anyway, speaking of michigan, have you tried those amazing pasties from a shop in detroit? 
If Duggan runs as an indie, he'll be giving Republicans a major boost 
. I mean, we all know Detroit is his stronghold, but if he splits the votes, it could cost him that. Plus, think of all those out-of-state billionaires pouring money into Republican campaigns... it's like they're asking for a landslide 
.
, so I'm not sure he'd even attract significant Republican support. But still, his ego-driven move could be devastating for Michigan Democrats 
. We need leaders who can put aside their egos and work together... this is 2026, folks! 
Can't we do better than that? 
this detroit mayor dude is gonna be bad news for michigan Dems... 
to represent Duggan's potential move, but it looks like he might be taking a wrong turn 
. If he runs as an independent, he'll just split the vote and help Republicans win 
to show how Duggan's move might hurt his own chances of winning in Detroit 
, and ultimately, the state as a whole 
.
to represent what Michigan needs right now: unity among Democrats 
and pragmatism in their campaign strategy 
.
He's also counting on out-of-state billionaires backing him, but that's a recipe for disaster 
. What he should do is support someone who shares his values, rather than putting himself in a losing position 
... What if he's not careful and ends up alienating even more Democrats, causing them to turn away from the party altogether? The Democratic party needs unity right now, especially with the stakes so high in 2026.
. Plus, those out-of-state billionaires are gonna come in and ruin the whole election process. We need unity among Dems, you feel? It's 2026, let's keep it real! 
. I mean, come on Mike, what makes u think running as an indie is gonna be a good idea? You're basically handing the Republicans a free pass to win and get someone super right-wing in office. Like, have u even considered how that's gonna play out for Michigan?! 
duggan needs to think about what he's really trying to achieve here... is it ego or actual change? 
. ON THE SURFACE, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO, BUT IN REALITY, IT JUST COULD END UP BEING A SELF-SABOTAGING MOVE 