Teamsters Unions Backing Benson Blindsided by Retracted Duggan Endorsement

September 17, 2025

The Michigan gubernatorial race has intensified with competing Teamsters endorsements for two Detroit candidates. Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 endorsed independent Mayor Mike Duggan, while Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson secured endorsements from five local Teamsters unions representing a majority of the state's members. The endorsement announcements created controversy when Duggan's campaign initially claimed incorrectly that all ten local affiliate unions had endorsed him.

Who is affected

Michigan voters and residents
Members of Michigan Teamsters (nurses, truck drivers, package deliverers and other public employees)
Michigan gubernatorial candidates (Jocelyn Benson, Mike Duggan, Chris Swanson, Garlin Gilchrist, John James, Tom Leonard, Aric Nesbitt, Mike Cox)
Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 and its local affiliate unions
Labor unions in Michigan

What action is being taken

Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 is endorsing independent candidate Mike Duggan
Five Teamsters local unions (406, 243, 283, 1038 and 247) are endorsing Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson
Teamsters Local 332 is endorsing Democratic candidate Chris Swanson
Labor unions are making endorsements in the gubernatorial race
Candidates are announcing and promoting their labor endorsements

Why it matters

The Teamsters represent key working-class voters in Michigan
The Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43's endorsement of Duggan marks the first time in its history it has backed an independent for governor
The split in Teamsters endorsements reveals divisions within labor organizations about the candidates
Labor union support is crucial for candidates seeking to demonstrate their commitment to workers' interests
The controversy over Duggan's incorrect endorsement announcement highlights tensions in the race

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle