Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan flexes clout, mostly scores with Democratic wins
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan played kingmaker Tuesday, introducing Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gretchen Whitmer at her victory party some seven months after trying to woo another candidate in the race.
Duggan staked his political capital on getting strongly and publicly behind Whitmer and several other Democrats, particularly opponents of lawmakers who helped defeat the mayor’s proposed overhaul of auto insurance.
The scorecard is mostly positive for Duggan, with caveats:
· Whitmer won the primary in a rout statewide, but lost the city of Detroit to millionaire and fellow Democrat Shri Thanedar.
· Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, a Duggan ally, lost narrowly the 13th Congressional District to former state lawmaker Rashida Tlaib in the primary race.
· Former Duggan aide Fayrouz Saad lost big in the 11th Congressional District to Haley Stevens.
· Duggan-endorsed candidates in the state House and Senate won seven races and lost four (although some were still close Wednesday, and results remain unofficial).
“There were some ups and downs, but overall it was a victory for him. In the big names and big races, Duggan’s slate won,” said Al Williams, a political consultant and former membership director of the state Democratic Party.
Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/detroit-journalism-cooperative/detroit-mayor-mike-duggan-flexes-clout-mostly-scores-dem-wins
