{"id":2502767,"date":"2025-10-24T14:42:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T18:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/independent-mike-duggan-gives-major-party-candidates-in-michigan-gubernatorial-a-run-for-their-money\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T14:43:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T18:43:04","slug":"independent-mike-duggan-gives-major-party-candidates-in-michigan-gubernatorial-a-run-for-their-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/independent-mike-duggan-gives-major-party-candidates-in-michigan-gubernatorial-a-run-for-their-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Independent Mike Duggan gives major party candidates in Michigan gubernatorial a run for their money"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Findependent-mike-duggan-gives-major-party-candidates-in-michigan-gubernatorial-a-run-for-their-money%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2502767&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat, has switched to run as an independent candidate for Michigan governor in the upcoming 2026 election. A recent poll shows Duggan gaining significant support, now within single digits of the leading Democratic candidate, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and the leading Republican candidate, Representative John James. Duggan launched his campaign in December 2024 with a message focused on ending hyperpartisanship and putting progress over politics. The poll also highlights Duggan&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >highest favorability rating<\/a> among the three front-runners and indicates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/confidence-man-the-risks-of-trump-projecting-a-big-win-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Confidence man: The risks of Trump projecting a big win - Washington Examiner\">widespread voter dissatisfaction<\/a> with Michigan&#8217;s current partisan leadership. The primary elections for the major parties will occur on August 4, 2026, with the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Independent Mike Duggan gives <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nolte-polls-show-hobbled-biden-limping-into-sotu-trailing-trump-in-rematch\/\" title=\"Nolte: ...s Show Hobbled Biden Limping Into SOTU, Trailing Trump in Rematch\">major party candidates<\/a> in Michigan gubernatorial a run for their money<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2382764\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/detroit\/\">Detroit<\/a> Mayor Mike Duggan&rsquo;s choice to run as an independent in his bid for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\">Michigan<\/a> governor may be paying off, as a new poll shows him within single digits of the two major party candidates.<\/p>\n<p>The long-time Democrat switched to become an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3249642\/mike-duggan-leaves-democratic-party-run-michigan-governor\/\">independent<\/a> in December 2024 when he launched his campaign to succeed term-limited Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\">Gretchen Whitmer<\/a> (D-MI).<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3862131\/virginia-john-reid-debate-ai-opponent\/\">Virginia GOP lieutenant governor candidate &#8216;debates&#8217; AI version of his opponent<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3861443\/eric-adams-endorse-cuomo-help-avoid-mamdani-nyc-mayorship\/\">Eric Adams to endorse Cuomo to help avoid Mamdani NYC mayorship<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3860923\/cuomo-sliwa-mamdani-final-nyc-mayoral-debate\/\">Cuomo and Sliwa turn up heat on Mamdani in final NYC mayoral debate before early voting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;There are a lot of people in this country who are tired of both parties and tired of the system,&rdquo; Duggan <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3249642\/mike-duggan-leaves-democratic-party-run-michigan-governor\/\">said<\/a> in an ABC News interview as he launched his candidacy.<\/p>\n<p>Duggan is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-senate-republicans-pile-on-pressure-to-approve-2k-stimulus-payments\/\" title=\"President Trump, Senate Republicans pile on pressure to approve K stimulus payments\">gaining steam<\/a> in polling data, now coming within single digits of the leading Democratic candidate, current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and the leading Republican candidate, Rep. John James (R-MI), according to a new Schoen Cooperman Research <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/f\/?id=0000019a-141e-dc69-abda-fedeff110000&amp;nname=playbook&amp;nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&amp;nrid=849aba7f-f4d5-44d1-8dff-3ca5fb878b65\">poll<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Benson leads in the potential horse race matchup with 30% of the vote, as James trails at 29% and Duggan follows with 26% of the vote, according to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/f\/?id=0000019a-141e-dc69-abda-fedeff110000&amp;nname=playbook&amp;nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&amp;nrid=849aba7f-f4d5-44d1-8dff-3ca5fb878b65\">poll<\/a>, conducted for Duggan&rsquo;s campaign and reported by Politico. Schoen Cooperman polled 600 likely Michigan voters in the round-up.<\/p>\n<p>Duggan had trailed the two major party candidates by double digits in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/governor\/general\/2026\/michigan\/benson-vs-james-vs-duggan\">earlier polling<\/a>, marking the Schoen Cooperman Research poll results as a shift in momentum for the Independent candidate as the race gets closer.<\/p>\n<p>The poll also shows that each of the three candidates has a net positive favorability rating, but that Duggan has the highest favorability rating of the three at plus 27. The poll notably points out that &ldquo;politicians in Lansing,&rdquo; the Michigan capital, have the largest net negative favorability rating among prospective 2026 voters, &ldquo;underscoring dissatisfaction with Michigan&rsquo;s current partisan leadership,&rdquo; the poll reads.<\/p>\n<p>Duggan launched his campaign on ending hyperpartisanship in Michigan and &ldquo;putting politics aside to put progress first,&rdquo; he wrote in his announcement <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mikeeduggan\/status\/1864316367769309233\">post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/3835736\/michigan-passes-budget-cuts-marijuana-tax\/\">MICHIGAN PASSES LONG-AWAITED BUDGET WITH CUTS, 24% MARIJUANA TAX<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What would happen if we upended the system and gave Michigan voters a new choice? A governor who didn&rsquo;t run as a candidate of either party, who went to work every day with no goal except to get people to work together for all of Michigan,&rdquo; Duggan said in his campaign announcement.<\/p>\n<p>The primary elections for each major party will take place on Aug. 4. The general election will be held on Nov. 3., just over one year away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Independent Mike Duggan challenges major party candidates in Michigan governor race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2502768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/duggan-.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[40275,58617,53010,65851,33387],"class_list":["post-2502767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-gubernatorial-race","tag-independent-candidate","tag-michigan-governor","tag-mike-duggan","tag-political-campaign"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/duggan-.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2502767"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2502771,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2502767\/revisions\/2502771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2502768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2502767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2502767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2502767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}