Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Co., has stepped squarely into Michigan's governor race, publicly lining up behind former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and his independent bid. Ford said he has never seen the country so divided and added that Michigan feels split as well, calling that reality very sad.
In comments highlighted by Deadline Detroit, Ford praised Duggan as a problem solver rather than an ideologue who brings people together and they work on the problem. The outlet noted that Ford's backing could give Duggan a boost beyond his core Detroit base.
Campaign Momentum And Reach
Duggan's independent campaign has been working to stitch together a broad coalition of support, both political and financial, that his team says puts him in a competitive spot statewide. The campaign points to more than 200 current and former elected officials and recent fundraising milestones as evidence that the effort is catching on across Michigan and across party lines. Mike Duggan's campaign has framed that backing as proof that his message is landing with voters who are tired of strict party labels.
Why Ford's Endorsement Matters
An endorsement from a high-profile Ford family member and company leader carries particular weight with suburban voters and business-minded Michiganders who put a premium on managerial chops. The Detroit Regional Chamber's earlier endorsement of Duggan signaled that a significant slice of the business community is open to a pragmatic, nonpartisan option, a dynamic that could amplify Ford's move. As the Detroit Regional Chamber put it, business leaders view Duggan's executive track record as a key asset in Lansing.
Ford's backing is not entirely new. He first publicly endorsed Duggan in December 2024, according to Deadline Detroit's reporting. His role as executive chair of Ford Motor Co. and his public comments about Detroit's turnaround have also been widely covered in regional outlets, including CBS Detroit.
What To Watch Next
Political operatives will be watching to see whether Ford's support helps Duggan lock in swing voters outside Detroit and speeds up petition and ballot efforts ahead of filing deadlines. The Duggan campaign continues to pump out news of endorsements and fundraising tallies as it works to turn high-profile backing into actual votes. Mike Duggan's campaign says it plans to keep building a statewide coalition in the weeks ahead.
