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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan Criticizes Democratic Governors Association Attack Ad

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered a keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference, criticizing the Democratic Governors Association for launching an attack ad that accuses him of a "long, corruption-riddled history." The ad points to federal agents' 2022 statement linking Duggan to a chain of events that ultimately outed a confidential FBI informant, alerting a target of an ongoing investigation of bribery, extortion, and fraud. Duggan, who is running as an independent candidate for governor, argues that the ad demonstrates the type of negative campaigning he is trying to change in the state.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Democratic Governors Association launched a digital ad accusing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan of a "long, corruption-riddled history," citing federal agents' 2022 statement linking him to a chain of events that outed a confidential FBI informant.
  • Duggan, a former member of the Democratic Party, is now running as an independent candidate for governor and argues that the ad is an example of the negative campaigning he is trying to change in the state.
  • Duggan railed against attack ads used by both Democrats and Republicans during his keynote address, pointing to an ad the campaign of Curtis Hertel ran accusing Tom Barrett of writing a bill that put women and doctors in jail.
  • Duggan said that Republicans are already running attack ads against U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) despite not having a candidate in the 2026 race yet.
  • The mayor said that the new DGA ad demonstrates his point that Democrats are predictable and only know one thing: tear down their opponents.
  • Duggan is also running ads, though they are focused on his own campaign, with billboards along I-75 in northern Michigan declaring Nov. 3, 2026, "Independent's Day."
  • Polling commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber shows Duggan's campaign could pull votes from both Democrats and Republicans.
  • Duggan said that his inclusion in the race makes it more difficult for either party to win by simply attacking the other side, as a third choice would require candidates to actually say what they're for.

Statistics:

  • 2022: The year federal agents stated that they had linked Duggan to a chain of events that outed a confidential FBI informant.
  • May 28, 2025: The day Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
  • 2026: The year the Michigan gubernatorial election will take place, with billboards along I-75 in northern Michigan declaring Nov. 3 "Independent's Day."
  • 70-80%: The percentage of voters who say they are turned off by negative campaigning, according to polling commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Sources:

  • "Duggan, Dems spar with competing ad campaigns during Mackinac Policy Conference" by Chad Livengood, Michigan Advance, May 29, 2025
  • "Poll: Benson and James emerge as early favorites in race for Michigan governor" by Chad Livengood, Michigan Advance, May 27, 2025
  • "Detroit Regional Chamber Poll Shows Duggan Campaign Could Pull Votes from Both Parties" by Chad Livengood, Michigan Advance, May 28, 2025

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