SW Michigan Chamber to Host Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Duggan

The event will give residents a chance to hear from and ask questions of the independent candidate.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:01am

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A solitary figure of a politician standing alone in a dimly lit government building hallway, with warm diagonal sunlight and deep shadows creating a cinematic, nostalgic atmosphere.An independent gubernatorial candidate seeks to connect with voters in a regional town hall, highlighting the importance of direct political engagement at the local level.Today in Detroit

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced they will host a public town hall with gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan on April 20 in St. Joseph. The event will include remarks from Duggan, a fireside chat with Chamber leadership, and an audience Q&A session.

Why it matters

As an independent candidate, Duggan's town hall appearance provides an opportunity for Southwest Michigan residents to directly engage with one of the leading contenders in the 2026 gubernatorial race, which is expected to be highly competitive.

The details

The town hall is scheduled for Monday, April 20 from 5-7 p.m. at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph. Duggan is set to deliver remarks at 5:30 p.m., followed by a fireside chat with Chamber leadership and an audience Q&A. The event is part of a full day of Chamber-organized stops for Duggan across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.

  • The town hall is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026 from 5-7 p.m.

The players

Mike Duggan

The former mayor of Detroit who is running as an independent candidate for Michigan governor in 2026.

Arthur Havlicek

The President and CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the town hall event.

John James

The Republican candidate for Michigan governor in 2026.

Jocelyn Benson

The Democratic candidate for Michigan governor in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Our role as a chamber is to ensure that candidates for the state's highest office understand the needs of businesses and communities in Southwest Michigan.”

— Arthur Havlicek, President and CEO, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce

What’s next

The town hall event is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to register in advance online.

The takeaway

This town hall provides an important opportunity for Southwest Michigan residents to directly engage with one of the leading candidates in the 2026 gubernatorial race, helping to ensure their regional priorities are understood by the next potential governor.