The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce will host gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan for a public town hall in St. Joseph on Monday, April 20.
The chamber’s Arthur Havlicek tells us the independent Duggan has been making waves statewide with his run for the governor’s office and the chamber wants to learn more about him.
“One of the recent polls from our friends at the Detroit Regional Chamber had him in the lead over the two major party candidates, which is a new concept for Michigan to have this,” Havlicek said. “Other states have elected independents, but Michigan hasn’t. And so it’s going to be an interesting race this fall.”
Duggan, the former mayor of Detroit, is known for helping turn the city around. Havlicek says if he might be elected governor, the chamber would like its members to know where he stands on issues that affect them.
“We’re a business advocacy organization. One of the reasons members join us is to be able to advocate for a positive and productive and competitive business climate. And so a lot of my questions are going to be focused around that. How is he going to make Michigan one of the top economies? How’s he going to bring jobs back to our state? How’s he going to retain talent in our state?”
The town hall on Monday will wrap up a full day of chamber-organized advocacy stops that will bring Duggan through Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.
The event will be held at the Box Factory for the Arts starting at 5:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5. Havlicek says it’ll begin with a speech from Duggan and a fireside chat between himself and the candidate. Then the public will be allowed to ask questions.
The event is open to everyone and free to attend.
