MI-GOV: Detroit police chief planning GOP gubernatorial run against Whitmer

[RandySF]

James Craig, a Republican and the chief of the Detroit Police Department, is preparing a campaign against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), handing the GOP a high-profile contender in one of the midterm cycle’s marquee gubernatorial races.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill that Craig is laying the groundwork for a bid and has spoken with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), the chairman of the Republican Governors Association (RGA). A second source familiar with the matter confirmed that Craig has met with Ron Weiser, the chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and is expected to announce on Monday a plan for his retirement from the Detroit Police Department.

Local reporter Charlie LeDuff and Fox 2 first reported Friday evening that Craig is preparing to retire from the top post in the Detroit Police Department and is considering a challenge to Whitmer.

Craig is a veteran of several police departments across the country. Before coming to Detroit, his home city, in 2013, he was chief of the police departments in Cincinnati and Portland, Maine. He also was a police officer for decades in Los Angeles.



https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/552482-detroit-police-chief-planning-gubernatorial-run-against-whitmer

[MichMan]

1. He is generally considered to have done an excellent job as Detroit Police Chief

That being said, he doesn't have much name recognition outside of SE Michigan.

[Lovie777]

2. Does he support suppression of voting rights . . .

his party does.

[kimbutgar]

3. The way black people feel about cops I don't think they'll vote for a black police chief

And if MF45 gets involved in endorsing him he’ll lose even more.

[keithsw]

4. And he wasn't

very well thought of in his time in Cincinnati. By the citizens or his own police department

[roamer65]

5. Charlie LeDuff.

I remember him from UM. Very hard to take him seriously on anything.

He’s also anti-Whitmer.

I remember the MI Repukes tried running a black Republican against Jim Blanchard in 1986. That didn’t work out well for them. He lost in a landslide.

[Thrill]

6. Considering how John James almost won against Peters

Have to take it serious

[brooklynite]

7. I had a chat with Gov. Tim Waltz (MN) last week.....

His analysis is that Whitmer is at risk in 2022.