Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a Democrat who has served in office since 2014, announced his candidacy for Michigan governor in the 2026 election—but as an independent.

Duggan, 66, who has spent decades in public service in Wayne County and Detroit, informed city employees last week that he would not seek another term as mayor. On Wednesday, he formally declared his gubernatorial run in a press release, aiming to succeed Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited after 2026, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Although Duggan has been a lifelong Democrat, he said he is running as an independent to challenge “the current system [that] forces people to choose sides.”

“I’m not running to be the Democrats’ governor or the Republicans’ governor. I’m running to be your governor,” Duggan said. “The political fighting and the nonsense that once held back Detroit is too often what we’re seeing across Michigan today. The current system forces people to choose sides — not find solutions. It’s time to change that. I intend to bring together Democrats, Republicans and Independents — and our young people, far too many of whom have given up on our political system — together to move Michigan forward.”

Whitmer, who secured a decisive reelection in 2022, is a rising star in the Democratic Party and is already being discussed as a potential presidential candidate for 2028, the Daily Wire reported.

Meanwhile, Duggan has led Detroit through significant challenges stemming from decades of violence and economic decline. In 2023, the city reported its lowest homicide rate since 1962, with 252 homicides recorded. Additionally, non-fatal shootings and carjackings also saw declines during the same year, according to city data.

Despite recent declines in violent crime, Detroit continues to rank among the most dangerous cities in the United States. According to 2022 data, Detroit had the second-highest violent crime rate in the nation, trailing only Memphis, with 2,027.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.

Duggan has highlighted his leadership in guiding Detroit out of bankruptcy in 2014 as a key accomplishment during his tenure.

“Detroit’s story of resurgence is one of Detroiters who never gave up on their city,” Duggan said last month when he announced he would not run for a fourth term as mayor. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as mayor over the past 12 years and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together—from emerging out of bankruptcy to becoming a vibrant, healthy city that is a model of resilience and transformation.”

Among the Democrats speculated to be potential candidates for Michigan governor are Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, and former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who recently relocated to Michigan.

On the Republican side, notable potential contenders include Congresswoman Lisa McClain, Congressman John James, Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, and conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, the GOP’s 2022 gubernatorial nominee, the Daily Wire added.