LANSING — Two campaigns for Michigan governor this week pulled nods from union groups, chief among them being the powerful Teamsters union that divided its support between a leading Democrat and the sole independent candidate in the race.

The battle played out as Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson – seeking the Democratic nomination in the August primary – and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a former Democrat running for the same office as an independent – both released notices that they gained support from the Teamsters.

But Duggan’s campaign had to scale back its initial announcement to clarify that it had just one of a few Teamsters’ support, as opposed to the several announced in a Tuesday news release.

A news release from Duggan’s campaign said the mayor had received an endorsement from the Michigan statewide Teamsters Joint Council 43, insinuating that the endorsement was on behalf of the union’s 10 affiliated local unions covering a wide swath of Michigan.

The council’s president, Kevin Moore, said Duggan received the support because the union is seeing real progress in Detroit thanks to the mayor’s influence and time in office.

“Here in America, neither party wants to work together, but I know one guy that will: Mike Duggan,” Moore said in a statement released by the campaign. “Mike Duggan will work with any party or no party to get work done. He wants to work for every single person in Michigan – and you can count on it. He has values and trust in his word. Mike Duggan has an honor code, and he will work great with labor and business. He’s going to change the dynamics of Michigan.”

The Teamsters Joint Council 43 has never endorsed an independent candidate for governor, the release said; it endorsed current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2018 and in 2022.

Duggan took the endorsement as a major honor.

“Teamsters built Michigan, and rebuilt Detroit. They’re hard workers who know who to trust, and I am proud to have earned their endorsement,” Duggan said. “The strength of this endorsement cannot be understated: this represents the backbone of our state. When I am elected governor, I will proudly work with the Teamsters and labor, as well as business and end the dysfunction in Lansing and move Michigan forward.”

A few hours later, the Duggan campaign updated the release. The campaign noted that the release incorrectly indicated that the endorsement was on behalf of its 10 local affiliated unions, which was untrue.

By Wednesday, Benson clapped back with a Teamsters endorsement of her own. In a news release, her campaign said that one half of the 10 affiliated Teamsters union local outfits were supporting her bid. That includes Teamsters Locals 406, 243, 283, 1038 and 247.

The unions backing Benson represent nurses, truck drivers, package deliverers, public employees.

She thanked them each for their support on Wednesday.

“This campaign is, and always has been, about the people. It’s about making sure the people who power our state’s economy and have built their families here, can afford to live in Michigan and thrive,” Benson said. “Where you have access to high-paying jobs, can afford to raise your family, buy a home, and retire with dignity. And where you always have a seat at the table in a Benson administration.”

Teamsters Local 1038 President Greg Nowak said in a statement that his local wasn’t “messing around with the anti-worker, corporate-owned mayor of Detroit.”

“We’re standing with Jocelyn Benson,” Nowack said. “She’s not backed by billionaires or dark money lobbyists like those who are backing her opponents, she’s backed by truck drivers, nurses, mechanics, teachers, warehouse workers, and first responders – the people who clock in every day and hold this state together. We’re the engine behind Michigan’s economy, and it’s about damn time we had someone in the governor’s office who understands that.”

Scott Quenneville, president of the Teamsters Local 243, said Benson was listening to nurses, drivers, warehouse workers and “everyone in between.”

“She’s not bought. She’s not sold,” Quenneville said. “And she sure as hell isn’t afraid to fight for working families. That’s why Teamsters Local 243 is proud to stand with her – because she’s always stood with us.”

Benson has also racked up numerous other nods from unions across Michigan, making the chunk of Teamsters affiliates a powerful grab.

Still, Duggan keeps swinging with union endorsements following the back and forth.

The Detroit Local 636 Pipefitters issued their endorsement of Duggan on Wednesday afternoon, and the American Postal Workers Union Local 480 and 481 issued their support for the mayor on Thursday afternoon.

“Our members have recognized the many accomplishments while serving as mayor of the city of Detroit,” said Steve Wood, president of APWU Local 480-481, in a statement. “This includes lowering Detroit’s crime rate to the lowest in 50 years, bringing the city out of bankruptcy, and for the first time in 60 years, the city population is growing. We look forward to seeing what Mike Duggan has planned for the future of the great State of Michigan.”