Mike Duggan officially running for mayor of Detroit - KMSP-TV

Mike Duggan officially kicked off his campaign for mayor of Detroit on Tuesday night.  He is stepping into the race with some serious support and major endorsements ranging from young professionals to former police chiefs Ike McKinnon and Warren Evans.

Watch Huel Perkins' one-on-one interview with Duggan in the video report.

"When I sat down with Mike a couple months ago -- because I was getting ready to leave -- I said, 'I can't take any more,' but Mike convinced me to stay because he said, 'Ike, I have a plan," said McKinnon.

"I watched him turnaround every organization that I've been around him with over the last 20 years," said Evans.  "He's just got a proven track record.  I mean, the question would really be why would he fail now."

One of the most curious endorsements came from well-known Detroiter Charlie Beckham, whose name has been floated around as a potential emergency manager for the city.  I asked him if that is still a possibility.

"I don't know.  As Mike said it's up to the governor.  I'd be remiss if I didn't take my 40 some odd years of experience and not offer it up to serve the citizens of Detroit like I always have," he said.  "If the governor decides he's going to do it, he's going to turn it back to Detroit at some point.  He needs to turn it back to somebody like Mike Duggan when that happens."

The election is still months away, and there are other candidates vying for the job.  However, regardless of who you believe should be elected as Detroit's next mayor, this race really does come down to one thing.

"You can't find anybody that doesn't say we aren't in financial distress.  It's who can best pull us out of that," Beckham said.