Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig was greeted by protesters as he announced his run against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the 2022 governor race.
Craig announced his run in Belle Isle, Michigan, where he was surrounded by protesters from the group Detroit Will Breathe. Protesters shouted and blew air horns, attempting to drown out Craig’s microphone as he was speaking into it. Craig attempted several times to be heard through his microphone but eventually left, according to ABC7 Detroit.
“I just have one thing to say, I’m running for governor of the state of Michigan,” Craig said before leaving his podium.
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The group organized the protest on Twitter, writing on Sept. 10 that they opposed Craig and his law enforcement policies.
“Join us to protest James Craig and call out Mayor Duggan and City Council for supporting his racist policies!” the group said on Twitter.
?Next Tuesday? at 9AM at the Belle Isle fountain, come out for a demonstration during former DPD chief James Craig’s announcement to run for governor. Join us to protest James Craig and call out Mayor Duggan and City Council for supporting his racist policies! pic.twitter.com/ApBOEZVydb
— Detroit Will Breathe (@DETWILLBREATHE) September 10, 2021
Craig announced his retirement as police chief on May 10 and revealed that he would not rule out a bid to serve as Michigan’s governor. Craig formed an exploratory committee for Michigan governor two months later in July to help him “think about” running in the 2022 governorship race.
James Craig was surrounded by protestors on Belle Isle this morning when he made a quick announcement. "I'm running for governor of the State of Michigan." pic.twitter.com/8EeyawwAzx
— WXYZ Detroit (@wxyzdetroit) September 14, 2021
The Washington Examiner was able to interview Craig on Aug. 23, where he said he takes issue with how Whitmer has affected small-businesses operations since she ordered coronavirus lockdowns last year. He also expressed criticism of her choice to continue government unemployment payments.
“The people who are in charge of governing our state need to make decisions that are in the best interest of the state,” Craig told the Washington Examiner. “They need to include the people who live in vulnerable communities, who, by the way, happened to be people of color, and nobody speaks to them. The same can be said of the isolated rural communities, both of which, by the way, share many of the same problems.”
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An EPIC-MRA poll released on Aug. 23 showed that 45% of 600 likely voters support Whitmer for a second term while 44% of likely voters support Craig. The same poll showed that Whitmer’s approval rating went down from last spring, ABC12 reported.
