Duggan to soon announce exploratory committee for Detroit mayor? - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

There has been speculation that Mike Duggan will run for Detroit mayor. One supporter now says the Detroit Medical Center CEO could soon be making a big announcement.

"Within the next 30 days I think we're going to have a major announcement," said former state Supreme Court Justice Conrad Mallett.

That major announcement is the formation of an exploratory committee by Mr. Duggan, which is the first step toward a formal announcement that indeed he is running for mayor of Detroit. All this was plotted out with 75 key supporters last Saturday at the Duggan residence in Detroit.

Of course, if and when Mr. Duggan makes that decision, his opponent may or may not be the incumbent, Mayor Dave Bing.

Mallett concedes the mayor has returned integrity to the office, but that's not enough.

"It is not enough to be an honest, good man. You also have to be an honest, good man who's an effective administrator, and that's Mike Duggan," he said.

If Mr. Duggan does get into the race, his opponents may raise his tenure with former Wayne County Executive Ed McNamara, who before he passed away was investigated by the federal government. No charges were ever filed, but is that a potential problem for Mr. Duggan?

"We will manage through whatever questions that might be raised. This is a man of high integrity, a demonstrated record of effectiveness, and what we say is bring all of it on," said Mallett.

He also said every day he is urging Duggan to get into the race.

"I cannot think of a reason why he would not run. Now, he might be able to think of a reason."

We'll see if he does.