The Detroit Regional Chamber made its move. And this time, it didn’t wait for party lines or primary outcomes to determine its path. Instead, Michigan’s most influential business voice announced its early endorsement of Mayor Mike Duggan’s independent run for governor, signaling a shift in the political center of gravity before the 2026 race has even officially taken shape.
This endorsement came ahead of both the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial primaries—a break from the Chamber’s more conventional timeline. The decision reflects more than a fondness for Duggan’s tenure. It’s a message to Lansing and beyond: pragmatism is still the Chamber’s political currency, and it will spend it where it sees stable returns. Duggan has built a reputation as a manager, a fixer, a deal-closer. For the business community, that kind of leadership reads as predictable, even if his recent political pivot does not.
After ten years leading Detroit as a Democrat, Duggan’s decision to run for governor without a party was not just unusual. It was strategic. It aligned with a growing sentiment among moderate voters and business interests that the traditional two-party gridlock has hamstrung Michigan’s ability to push forward with collaborative policy. Duggan’s independent bid opens a new chapter in a long political career—one marked by a comfort with power, relationships, and backroom negotiation.
He’s no stranger to the inner workings of political machines. Duggan built his career inside them. His departure from the Democratic Party isn’t a rejection of legacy, but rather a recalibration. He still has deep roots in the structures he once helped lead, but his campaign now speaks to voters who feel the parties have drifted from practical governance. The Chamber’s endorsement reflects that sentiment. This was a calculated political endorsement rooted in shared philosophy, not just loyalty.
At this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference, Duggan stood tall. The energy in the room made it clear who had the Chamber’s attention. The business leaders, policy analysts, and political financiers weren’t just exchanging pleasantries—they were taking mental notes. Duggan has media saturation in Southeast Michigan, but that event hinted at his potential reach across broader corners of the state. Organizers say there’s momentum building in places like Kent, Grand Traverse, and Emmet counties. The mayor is no longer just Detroit’s name on the ballot. He’s positioning himself as a candidate for Michigan writ large.
Still, this endorsement was met with side-eyes and raised brows from within Democratic ranks. Some were already uneasy about Duggan’s rumored gubernatorial ambitions. But it was his decision to run as an independent—and the Chamber’s swift move to endorse—that sent party strategists into a quiet frenzy.
For Democrats, Duggan’s name now reads less as an opportunity and more as a risk. Their concern isn’t limited to whether he can win. It centers on whether his presence will fracture their voting bloc just enough to usher a Republican victory through a divided electorate. That fear isn’t unfounded.
Michigan has a long history of political fluidity. Voters switch parties, cross primary lines, and turn out in surprising ways. With a Republican field packed with familiar names—former Attorney General Mike Cox, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, U.S. Representative John James, and Anthony Hudson—there’s no shortage of conservative competition. But none of those names alone create as much Democratic anxiety as the idea of a three-way race.
On the Democratic side, there’s a credible bench: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Each brings unique appeal, but none yet hold a commanding lead in the race. Duggan’s entry into that mix complicates the equation. He doesn’t just pull votes from one lane—he pulls credibility, media cycles, and donors.
What’s also adding fuel to the political fire is Duggan’s online banter. After Elon Musk called for a third-party alternative to break the current political duopoly, Duggan posted a quick response: “now you’ve got my attention.” That line triggered speculation about his ideological leanings and associations. Some viewed it as a joke. Others saw it as a signal. Democrats wasted no time criticizing the move, questioning his priorities and alliances.
Duggan later clarified that if elected, Musk would be the first person he’d visit—citing his goal to bring Tesla to the Detroit Auto Show. But the statement—on its face—raised eyebrows. Even if meant as light political theater, the reference landed with unease in a state where Musk’s political influence and views remain polarizing.
Despite that turbulence, Duggan’s camp remains confident. His campaign isn’t anchored in party rhetoric or ideological purity. It’s running on executive leadership, results, and vision. That’s exactly why the Detroit Regional Chamber stepped in early. Its endorsement isn’t about lighting fires on the left or right. It’s about backing a candidate who they believe can win and govern with a level head.
Still, this move leaves Democratic strategists with a narrow path forward. Without a clear front-runner and with Duggan courting centrist and left-leaning independents, there’s legitimate concern that the general election could tip the scales toward a Republican nominee—especially in a year when the presidency is also on the line and national partisanship runs high.
The Chamber’s decision also reflects its frustration with both parties. For years, it’s worked to champion issues like workforce development, infrastructure investment, and fiscal stability. But as national politics drift further into ideological extremes, it has found fewer allies willing to focus on what it considers pragmatic solutions. Duggan’s brand of technocratic governance appeals to that sensibility. For them, this endorsement is an investment in continuity.
What remains to be seen is whether Duggan’s independent run can build a durable coalition. Michigan’s electorate doesn’t always embrace centrists, but it does reward clarity and conviction. Duggan’s strength will depend on how well he can convince voters that independence doesn’t mean isolation—and that his platform will protect their healthcare, their jobs, their schools, and their cities.
The 2026 election won’t be a typical one. With a Republican president on the ballot and a Democratic governor stepping down, Michigan stands at a political crossroads. The stakes stretch far beyond party loyalty. They touch policy, power, and people’s everyday lives.
Detroit will watch this race closely. Duggan’s legacy in the city is complex. Some praise his economic development work. Others critique the impact of gentrification, tax foreclosures, and school closures during his tenure. But what’s clear is that his next chapter will shape not just Detroit’s future—but the direction of Michigan politics at large.
In this moment, the Chamber’s early endorsement forces a new political conversation. It reorders expectations and puts every candidate on notice. This isn’t business as usual. This is the business community betting on its own definition of leadership—and doing so before the voters even pick their party’s nominees.
For Black communities across Michigan, particularly in Detroit, this election will be a test. Not only of which candidates listen, but of who is willing to act boldly and deliver real results. Duggan’s run adds new questions to that equation. And the answers won’t come from endorsements alone. They’ll come from turnout, from trust, and from truth-telling campaigns that meet people where they live.
