Republican megadonors are bankrolling Mike Duggan’s independent Michigan gubernatorial race

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has been receiving and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from Republican donors and dark money in his independent gubernatorial bid, despite him saying he wants to avoid partisanship.

Duggan has served as Detroit’s mayor since 2014 and has been a member of the Democratic Party for his entire political career until recently. Last November, Duggan announced he would not seek a fourth term as mayor, joining the gubernatorial race as an independent candidate instead.

Last month, Bridge Michigan reported on Duggan’s updated financial disclosure reports, which showed him leading all candidates in individual contributions with $3.2 million raised. Detroit Metro Times also pointed to the unusual amount of money Duggan is drawing from Republican donors, who have also contributed to GOP candidates in the same race.

A Heartland Signal analysis of the financial disclosures found that over $200,000 of Duggan’s donations came from donors who also contributed to one or more of the Republican candidates in the race. Some of these donors include former Michigan Republican Party Chair Ronald Weiser, GOP megadonor JC Huizenga and former Michigan GOP co-chair Jeff Sakwa, who all gave Duggan the maximum $8,325 individual contribution.

List of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s supporters for his independent gubernatorial campaign that have also donated to state Republicans

The mayor has justified his switch from Democrat to independent by saying Michiganders are exhausted of the two-party system and need to move past partisan fights. But running as an independent also allows him to avoid a competitive Democratic primary, which includes major state Democrats like Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II.

When asked via email why his campaign is receiving so much support from GOP megadonors and if his politics have shifted to the right, Duggan’s team responded by pointing to a quote the candidate gave to Detroit News columnist Nolan Finley.

“I haven’t changed any positions, other than that I think the toxic relationship between the two parties is badly damaging the state and we need a different approach to get Republicans and Democrats to work together,” Duggan told Finley. “But I haven’t changed my position on any issue.”

Duggan’s rhetoric has shifted from being critical of President Donald Trump, to criticizing Democrats since he turned independent. Duggan has also deflected criticism by arguing he is trying to bring both parties together with his campaign.

The Democrats are so predictable.

Last week, we announced that our campaign outraised every other candidate in this race. So this week, Democratic Party insiders are attacking us for taking donations from Republicans.

They’re mad the independent campaign is getting support… pic.twitter.com/vpJ4a4AjYu

— Duggan for Michigan (@DugganforMich) August 2, 2025

In response, Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Derrick Honeyman bashed Duggan for prioritizing special interests.

“Mike Duggan is being bankrolled by the same far-right donors who supported Donald Trump and extreme Republican candidates for governor, because they know he’ll always put special interests and his own ego first,” Honeyman said. “The more working families learn about Duggan, it’s clear he cannot be trusted to fight for them — and all they have to do is follow the money.”

Incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is ineligible to run for a third term due to term limits. Benson is leading Democratic candidates in fundraising with $3.5 million raised through July 20.