The Michigan Democratic Party purchased several billboards across Detroit criticizing the city’s mayor, Mike Duggan, for accepting donations from longtime Republican allies for his independent bid for governor.
Duggan announced he left the party last year in December upon revealing that he would run for governor after serving as mayor for 12 years.
The Michigan Democratic Party purchased several billboards across Detroit criticizing the city’s mayor, Mike Duggan, for accepting donations from longtime Republican allies during his independent bid for governor.
Duggan announced he left the party last year in December upon revealing that he would run for governor after serving as mayor for 12 years.
The Michigan Democratic Party today launched new billboards across Detroit highlighting the major support that Mike Duggan’s campaign has received from prominent MAGA megadonors and Trump loyalists.
As Duggan’s ties to Republican donors are scrutinized by Democrats, one Republican state party official, Chris Long, told the Midwesterner, a conservative news website earlier this year that he feared Duggan’s campaign could hurt the party’s candidates.
The party said it purchased the billboards to run the same day as Duggan attended a fundraiser tonight in Detroit with a Trump donor.
“The billboards are part of MDP’s efforts to hold Duggan accountable and show Michiganders that he can’t be trusted,” MDP spokesperson Derrick Honeyman said in a release.
Duggan’s campaign finance records show donations from an array of business leaders and executives who have backed both Republicans and Democrats. Duggan’s critics point to donations from charter school advocate J.C. Huizenga, former Michigan GOP Ron Weiser and former co-chair Jeff Sakwa.
Duggan has been endorsed by a number of labor groups who typically support Democrats, including Unite Here Local 24, Michigan Council of Regional Carpenters and Millwrights, Detroit Plumbers Local 98, Detroit Firefighters Association Local 344, the Detroit Stage Employees Union and IBEW Local 58.
The mayor of Michigan’s largest city is also endorsed by Detroit Branch NAACP president Rev. Wendell Anthony, who has supported Democrats until Duggan’s independent campaign.
“At least the Michigan Democratic Party is predictable – they always think calling someone a Republican is the worst possible insult,” said Andrea Bitely, a spokesperson for Duggan’s campaign. “Can’t wait to see their billboard insulting the 11 traditionally Democratic unions who have already endorsed Mayor Duggan for governor.”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist are running for governor as Democrats.
2018 attorney general candidate Tom Leonard, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt and U.S. Rep. John James are running for governor as Republicans.
