Listen to the article
The Duggan campaign issued a correction Monday after mistakenly claiming multiple union endorsements that had not actually been secured, according to a report by the Detroit News.
The social media misstep occurred Sunday night when independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan’s campaign posted on Twitter claiming endorsements from several major labor organizations, including United Auto Workers Local 412, the Teamsters, the Operating Engineers, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
“Fifteen labor unions didn’t endorse me to help one party or the other,” the now-deleted post from Duggan’s account stated. “They endorsed me because I deliver for working people.”
Campaign spokeswoman Andrea Bitely acknowledged the error to the Detroit News, explaining that the post was removed Monday morning once the mistake was discovered. The campaign did not elaborate on how the erroneous information was published or whether any of the named unions had been in talks with the Duggan team about potential endorsements.
The incident highlights the high stakes in Michigan’s gubernatorial race, where union endorsements carry significant political weight. Michigan’s strong labor history makes union backing a coveted prize for candidates across the political spectrum, particularly in a state where manufacturing and public sector unions maintain considerable influence in elections.
Duggan, who served as Detroit’s mayor for ten years before launching his independent bid for governor, has historically maintained strong relationships with organized labor during his tenure leading Michigan’s largest city. His administration worked closely with unions on various municipal projects and labor agreements, making the mistaken claim of endorsements particularly noteworthy.
Political analysts suggest this misstep could create complications for the Duggan campaign, potentially straining relationships with the very labor organizations whose support he seeks. The error might force union leaders to publicly clarify their positions, creating an awkward dynamic for both the campaign and the labor organizations involved.
The timing is especially sensitive as many unions are currently in the process of evaluating candidates before making formal endorsements for the upcoming election cycle. Such decisions typically involve internal membership discussions and formal voting processes that can take months to complete.
Craig Mauger, who reported the story for the Detroit News, noted that false claims of endorsements can be particularly problematic in political campaigns, as they may mislead voters about a candidate’s level of institutional support. For independent candidates like Duggan, who operate outside traditional party structures, demonstrating broad-based support from established organizations becomes even more critical.
Michigan’s labor landscape has evolved in recent years, with unions working to reassert influence following right-to-work legislation that was later repealed. The state’s major unions—including those mistakenly claimed by the Duggan campaign—represent tens of thousands of workers across manufacturing, transportation, construction, and service sectors.
The campaign has not yet issued a public statement addressing the error beyond the confirmation provided to the Detroit News. Political observers will be watching to see whether the mentioned unions respond to the mistaken claims and how this incident might affect Duggan’s outreach to labor organizations as his gubernatorial campaign progresses.
As Michigan’s election season intensifies, campaigns remain under heightened scrutiny, with voters and media alike paying close attention to claims of institutional support and endorsements that could sway voter decisions in what promises to be a competitive race.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
15 Comments
I’m curious to know more about the Duggan campaign’s process for securing union endorsements. Were there genuine ongoing discussions that somehow got miscommunicated? Or was this just a case of premature celebration? Either way, they need to tighten up their vetting procedures.
This is an important lesson for political campaigns – be very careful when claiming endorsements, especially from powerful organizations like unions. Jumping the gun can seriously damage credibility. I hope the Duggan team learns from this experience.
Claiming union endorsements that haven’t actually materialized is a risky move, as the Duggan campaign has now learned. I hope they take this as a learning experience and focus on building genuine, transparent relationships with labor groups going forward.
Absolutely. Establishing trust and credibility with unions should be a top priority for any candidate in Michigan. Jumping the gun on endorsements can really backfire.
Union endorsements carry a lot of weight in Michigan, so it’s understandable why the Duggan campaign wanted to tout those supports. But honesty and accuracy should always come first, even if it means admitting a mistake. Kudos to them for quickly issuing a correction.
Absolutely. Admitting an error takes courage, but it’s the right thing to do. Voters will appreciate the campaign’s transparency in this case.
Mistakes happen, but the Duggan campaign should be commended for quickly acknowledging and correcting this one. Maintaining trust with voters, especially on issues like union support, is critical in a high-stakes race like this. Handling it well can even earn them some goodwill.
Agreed. Owning up to errors shows integrity and builds credibility. Voters appreciate that more than stubbornly sticking to false claims.
It’s good to see the Duggan campaign acknowledging and correcting this error. Maintaining integrity and transparency, even when mistakes happen, is crucial for building voter confidence. I hope they use this experience to strengthen their endorsement vetting process.
Interesting misstep by the Duggan campaign. Claiming union endorsements that haven’t actually been secured is a risky move that can backfire. I’m curious to know more about how this error occurred and what steps the campaign is taking to rebuild trust with the unions involved.
Agreed, transparency and accountability will be key for the campaign moving forward. Voters want to see candidates who are honest and upfront, not making false claims for political gain.
Unions carry a lot of sway in Michigan politics, so this was a significant misstep by the Duggan campaign. But I appreciate their willingness to own up to the error and issue a correction. Honesty and accountability should be the top priorities, even in a high-stakes race.
Agreed. Voters want candidates who are truthful, not ones who make bold claims that turn out to be false. Duggan’s team did the right thing by acknowledging the mistake.
This incident highlights the importance of thorough vetting and verification, especially when it comes to high-profile endorsements. The Duggan campaign should review its processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Transparency and accountability will be key moving forward.
This is an important lesson for all political campaigns – be extremely careful and thorough when claiming endorsements, especially from influential organizations like unions. Premature celebration can seriously backfire and damage credibility. Kudos to the Duggan team for correcting the record.