More Than 150 Michigan Faith Leaders Back Mike Duggan for Governor. What Does This Mean for Black Voters?

April 28, 2025

More than 150 pastors and clergy leaders from across Michigan, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint, endorsed Independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan at a gathering in Detroit on Monday. The endorsement highlights Duggan's cross-partisan appeal, with faith leaders citing his leadership in Detroit's revitalization, crime reduction programs like ShotStoppers, and investments in affordable housing as evidence of his capabilities. Clergy members emphasized Duggan's collaborative approach and practical solutions as qualities that could help transcend Michigan's partisan divide.

Who is affected

Black Michigan residents and voters
Detroit residents and communities
Residents of other Michigan cities like Flint, Grand Rapids, Benton Harbor, Pontiac, and Saginaw
Faith communities and their congregations across Michigan
Labor union members (over 11,000 workers)
Communities struggling with issues like disinvestment, gentrification, and displacement

What action is being taken

More than 150 pastors and clergy leaders publicly endorsing Mike Duggan for governor
Duggan is running as an Independent candidate for Michigan governor
Faith leaders are actively promoting Duggan's candidacy based on his Detroit record
Duggan is building a coalition across faith communities and labor unions
Duggan is campaigning on a platform of collaboration and practical solutions

Why it matters

The endorsement signals Duggan's appeal beyond traditional party lines
It represents a significant bloc of influential Black clergy supporting his candidacy
The endorsement highlights Duggan's record in Detroit, including crime reduction and affordable housing initiatives
It positions Duggan as a potential unifier in a polarized political climate
The support suggests Duggan's Detroit turnaround model could be applied statewide
It raises questions about equitable progress and whether Duggan's approach will benefit all communities

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle