Former police chief James Craig joins crowded Detroit mayoral race

DETROIT – The former Chief of Police is taking another swing at politics.

James Craig officially announced his campaign for Detroit mayor on Wednesday, March 12, at Executive Cuts, a Black-owned barbershop on the city’s east side, in a show of support for small businesses.

After serving as Detroit’s police chief for eight years, Craig stepped down and ran for Governor in 2022. He filed as a write-in candidate after being disqualified from the Republican primary due to petition signatures.

Read: 3 charged over fake signatures that kicked 5 GOP candidates off ballot for Michigan gov

In 2023, he announced he would run for the open U.S. Senate seat, but suspended his campaign in early 2024. Elissa Slotkin won the seat.

Craig joins a crowded race for Detroit Mayor. Those who have declared so far include:

• Current City Council President Mary Sheffield
• Former City Council President Saunteel Jenkins
• Current councilman Fred Durhal
• Attorney Todd Perkins
• Reverand Solomon Kinloch, Jr.