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Detroit mayor backs Gretchen Whitmer in her run for governor

Posted at 11:18 AM, Feb 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-28 11:18:26-05

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is endorsing Democrat Gretchen Whitmer in her run for governor.

Duggan backed Whitmer as she opened a campaign office in Detroit on Wednesday. Democratic candidates typically need solid voter turnout in the city to do well in statewide elections.

Duggan credits Whitmer, of East Lansing, for helping to expand Medicaid coverage to 660,000 adults and backing a bill to create a public lighting authority in Detroit. He also cites her advocacy for public schools in her 14-year legislative career.

Duggan says he will work to ensure that Detroiters vote in November.

Whitmer is among four main Democratic gubernatorial candidates, including Abdul El-Sayed — who worked as health director in Duggan's administration — and businessmen Shri Thanedar and Bill Cobbs.