Outgoing Detroit Mayor Duggan: 'I changed the politics in this city'

Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News on Dec 8, 2025

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DETROIT — Outgoing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said one of his biggest accomplishments during his 12 years as mayor was that he eased the often-divisive political tone of race and city versus suburb.

Speaking onstage Monday with Huntington Bank CEO Gary Torgow at a Detroit Economic Club luncheon, Duggan was allowed to spin a friendly narrative from his days as write-in candidate during his first election to his legacy.

Asked about his biggest accomplishments, Duggan responded that he changed the tone of city politics from "us versus them" to one of more cooperation.

"Oh, I just think the one thing is, this last mayoral election, there was no us versus them, no Black versus White, no city versus suburbs," Duggan said. "I think I changed the politics in the state, the city at least — one more to go," he said, referring to his gubernatorial run. He added he believed he changed the tone of Detroit politics "long term."

He also praised incoming Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, whom he endorsed. He complimented her stance on community violence intervention programs and working with police. She's pledged to create an office of gun violence prevention during her first 100 days in office.

"Mary Sheffield is one of the biggest advocates for the police department, one of the biggest advocates for . . . community violence intervention," he said. Duggan and Torgow spoke in front of hundreds at the Monday event held at the MotorCity Casino Hotel.

He added he believed Detroit could continue to see a drop in crime rates as it has for the past few years.

Duggan, a lifelong Democrat, is running as an independent for state governor next year and since his announcement he has sought public platforms where influential supporters tout his achievements. He received two standing ovations Monday.

He is widely viewed as stabilizing the city as it emerged from the city's largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation. A recent poll by the News and WDIV-TV Local 4 gave him an 84% approval rating. In his 12 years in office, Duggan helped oversee a massive campaign to demolish tens of thousands of blighted, empty homes, restore public services, lure several major employers, and steady the city government finances.

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