The 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election is heating up with just over four months away from the primary set for August 4. With a handful of candidates set to face off, the race will be tight and a lot on the line for Michigan voters.
On April 27, from 1-2 p.m. in the Kehrl Auditorium inside the Vistatech Center, Schoolcraft will host former Detroit mayor and independent candidate Mike Duggan. This event is a part of a public town hall campus initiative aimed at bringing the political process closer to students ahead of the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election.
Students are encouraged to attend the event, where after a short introduction, they will have the opportunity to ask Duggan questions about the issues that matter to them.
“These events tend to only include a speech from the candidate,” Thomson said, “but this one will have just a relatively short introduction, and then we’ll turn the floor over to the audience to ask any questions they have.”
The town hall also marks the early stages of a broader effort to expand opportunities for civic engagement across campus. Organizers are exploring ways to integrate experiential learning into campus programs, an initiative already evident from recent campus developments such as the opening of Nino Salvaggio earlier this year.
For students, the event offers a chance to move beyond classroom discussions and engage directly with a major political figure during an active election cycle.
“Beyond public events we are exploring ways to build these sorts of experiences into our core curriculum,” said Thomson. “We want to provide students with opportunities to do research projects or civic engagement work for credit.”
Future plans include inviting additional candidates in the governor’s race, as well as other public officials and leaders from a variety of fields.
Duggan’s appearance comes at a particularly interesting moment in Michigan politics. This race is already expected to draw significant attention nationally and his choice to run as an independent will certainly have a profound effect on its outcome.
Thomson noted it will be worth watching how independent voters influence the outcome in an ever-evolving political landscape.
The town hall is free and open to the public. Thomson encourages attendees to reach out in advance with any questions and to RSVP to help manage capacity at [email protected].
