DETROIT — Mayor Mike Duggan has announced that he will not seek a fourth term as Detroit mayor in 2025. Duggan, first elected in 2013, made the announcement this week but did not tip his hand on plans beyond his current term as mayor of Michigan’s largest city.
Duggan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he was proud of his first 11 years as mayor:
“In 2014, I said I wanted to be judged by one thing, is the population in Detroit increasing? For the first time since 1957, the population in Detroit is officially growing again. I have done what I set out to do. Thank you to my staff and the great people of the City of Detroit.”
Duggan further pointed out a list of accomplishments, stating:
- We have knocked down 47,000 vacant homes
- We have balanced 10 consecutive budgets
- We have reached investment grade bond ratings
- We have the lowest crime rates in 60 years
- We have 3B in black wealth
- We have 500M in our Rainy Day Fund
Speculation about what’s next for Mayor Duggan is high in political circles around Detroit and Lansing. With Governor Gretchen Whitmer facing term limits, some wonder if Duggan is setting himself up for a run for governor – although Duggan was mum on his plans. In addition, speculation about who will run for mayor of Detroit and who will get Duggan’s endorsement remain in the early stages.
“I feel like I did what I set out to do,” Duggan told The AP on Tuesday. “I was born here. I grew up here. I watched the decline and I felt like I could help. Today, we’re in a very different place in the city. I think it’s time for the next mayor to take the recovery further and faster.”
