The Smerconish Podcast Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan vs. the System: Inside His Independent Run for Governor
Aug 8, 2025
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, known for revitalizing Detroit, shares insights on his unexpected independent run for Michigan governor. He discusses the city's remarkable comeback and his reasons for stepping away from the Democratic Party. Duggan challenges the political status quo and explores the potential of displacing traditional party dynamics. The conversation dives into the importance of bipartisan collaboration and how independent voters are transforming Michigan's political landscape, prompting listeners to reconsider the future of governance.
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Detroiters Still Answer The Door
- Mike Duggan says Detroiters still open their doors and want face-to-face information.
- He contrasts this with Ring doorbell avoidance elsewhere.
Thrown Off The Ballot, Won By Write-In
- Mike Duggan was thrown off the 2013 mayoral ballot for filing petitions early.
- Voters wrote him in and he carried 92 percent of precincts.
Detroit's Measurable Revival
- Mike Duggan cites $10 billion in new investment and thousands of jobs in a decade.
- He notes abandoned houses fell from 47,000 to 2,000, spurring neighborhood resurgence.