Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan Will Not Seek Fourth Term

DETROIT — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Wednesday that he will not seek a fourth-term as mayor.

Duggan announced his decision to a crowd of city staffers and family members Wednesday afternoon at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit.

"I will not be a candidate for reelection for mayor of Detroit in 2025,” said Duggan. "Being your mayor has been an honor of a lifetime."

Duggan, 66, was first elected mayor in 2014 and became the city's first White mayor since 1974.

He defeated Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon in the 2013 election, and then went to win re-election with 72 percent of the vote against Coleman A. Young II in 2017. He followed that up by capturing more than 75 percent of the vote against Anthony Adams in 2021.

Duggan began his tenure as mayor amid Detroit's bankruptcy process. Since then, he has helped revitalize downtown, demolish thousands of empty structures and stabilize city services.

He also oversaw Detroit's first population growth since 1957, as Detroit gained 1,852 residents between 2022 and 2023. Duggan said population growth was a big priority for him.

"I wanted to change the direction of this city," Duggan said. "I'd done what I set out to do."

Duggan's decision to not seek re-election means there will be an open race in 2025.

As of Wednesday, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, Detroit City Council Member Fred Durhal III and former businessman Joel Haashiim have filed to run in 2025.

Duggan said he doesn't have a favorite candidate and will watch along with Detroiters to see who is the best candidate for the future of the city.

"There is talent in the city that can continue the recovery of Detroit and have it extended to more people and be more inclusion with where we're going," Duggan said.

Duggan did not address his political future Wednesday, but said he will offer some insight in the coming weeks. There is speculation he could launch a gubernatorial run for 2026. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again in 2026 because of term limits.