DETROIT AP - Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan spent his political career as a Democrat, leading Michigan's largest Democratic stronghold.
But now, he's become a target of his former party, whose leaders are furious about his decision to run for Michigan governor next year as an independent. Detroit is a power base for Democrats in the battleground state, and some fear Duggan will draw support from their nominee and potentially help the Republican candidate.
Democrats have launched attacks against Duggan, accusing him of being bankrolled by allies of President Donald Trump. But Duggan - who is soon leaving the office he has held since 2014 - says voters of all leanings are tired of partisan fighting.
"It doesn't actually matter where I go in the state," Duggan said. "People are angry that their problems are not getting solved because the two parties are so consumed with fighting with each other."
Duggan had been a major Democratic figure in Michigan with a close working relationship with former President Joe Biden. While there is precedent for independent governors in the U.S., none are currently in office and there has never been one in Michigan.