Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says next year will be his last in office [Video]

Mike Duggan says the coming year will be his last as Detroit mayor, amid growing speculation he’s among the Democrats likely to launch a gubernatorial campaign to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Duggan declined to discuss his political future ahead of Wednesday’s public announcement on not seeking reelection to a fourth four-year term, telling The Associated Press that he’s “going to talk about what’s next later” and that this week he was “going to focus on the city and people in the city.”

His current term ends in January 2026.

When Duggan stepped into Detroit City Hall as mayor about 11 years ago, he took on a city challenged by monumental blight, high crime and finances controlled by the state. Half the street lights didn’t even come on at night. Since then, his administration routinely has balanced city budgets and surpluses. Violent crime is down and neighborhoods mostly are cleaner.

“I feel like I did what I …