JACKSON (WWJ/AP)—Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig spoke in Jackson Tuesday night to commemorate the 167th anniversary of the founding of the Republican party—but stopped short of announcing a run for Governor.
“Please listen to me Governor Whitmer,” he said. “America is not a monarchy. We aren’t ruled by kings and queens. We ended that back in 1776.”
He spoke at the historic Under The Oaks site where the party was founded back in 1854.
“I offered to help lead the Republican party into areas that have historically not voted Republican. And to show we are all around friends and there are no enemies when it comes Michigan’s future,” Craig said.
During his speech, Craig said he is pro-life and pro second amendment. He also said he supports the police, military and the principle of self-reliance rather than a “victimhood mentality” being pushed by Democratic leaders.
While he said he tried to remove himself from politics during his time as Chief; he told the crowd of 100 Republicans that he was “born a Democrat” but life experiences lead him to the opposite party. He voted for former President Donald Trump in both terms.
He retired from the department on June 1.
Prior to his time as Detroit’s chief of police, Craig served the same post in Cincinnati for two years, and was the police chief in Portland, Maine, for two years prior to that.
Craig began his career in Detroit in 1977, but was soon laid off when the department downsized, and he spent the better part of the next three decades working for the Los Angeles Police Department.
His career came full-circle when he was appointed in 2013 and Craig said Monday he is proud of the work he and the department have accomplished over the last seven-plus years.
During his tenure in Detroit, Craig oversaw the implementation of many anti-crime programs in the city, including Project Greenlight -- an idea he said started as a note on a napkin -- which allows police to watch security footage from hundreds of stores and gas stations around the city.
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