Retired Detroit Police Chief James Craig appeared on Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson Tonight program to announce the launch of his campaign for governor.
“I’ve got to tell you, I’m running,” Craig told Carlson on Wednesday
More: Ex-Detroit police chief forms exploratory committee in run for Michigan governor
The appearance capped off a day which Craig officially launched an exploratory committee for governor. It means he can now hold a fundraiser and will not have to file a campaign finance statement until the end of October.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has a campaign of $10 million currently. Craig’s first campaign finance report will give an inkling of whether he can raise the necessary funds.
Along with the creation of the exploratory committee, he has a campaign video out along with a website and logo.
More: Former police chief James Craig delivers first political speech in Jackson County
Rumors began circulating in May that Craig was considering a political career following his retirement from the Detroit Police Department. He retired on June 1 after serving as Chief of Detroit police for eight years and working in law enforcement for 44 years.
Craig delivered his first political speech in Jackson County at the beginning of July, in which he was critical of Whitmer and U.S. reps. Maxine Waters and Rashida Tlaib. Last week, he teased an “important announcement” while on Fox News with Carlson.
Craig said his “life experiences” have led him to vote Republican, saying he voted for former President Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.
“Tonight, James Craig made his 28th national network appearance only to bring absolutely nothing new to the table in his ‘exclusive’ with Tucker Carlson. In sidestepping local reporters and Michigan voters alike, Craig once again showed that he’s nothing but a typical politician that will go through whatever lengths necessary to avoid establishing where he stands on every key issue imaginable, whether it be healthcare, public education, roads, or maintaining the momentum of our recovering economy. Our working families deserve a leader that is going to put them first, which is exactly what Governor Whitmer has shown with the major investments she’s recently made into all of these sectors -- all without raising taxes.”
Rodericka Applewhaite, Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson