BIRMINGHAM, MI – Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig said he would accept former President Donald Trump’s endorsement but doesn’t want his anticipated campaign for Michigan governor defined by Trump.
Craig, a Republican who launched an exploratory campaign committee but has yet to formally start his bid for Michigan governor, invited reporters to attend the first meeting of a task force he assembled to create law enforcement policy recommendations. Members of the press, corralled behind a glass wall, were allowed a look inside but denied the opportunity to listen in. Craig took questions after the hour-long meeting in his first press conference since dipping a toe into the gubernatorial race.
“If the president gives me his endorsement, I’ll accept it,” Craig said. “I want to be defined as James Craig, not Donald Trump. I’m looking ahead to 2022.”
The former police chief said he hasn’t seen information proving the 2020 election was stolen, as suggested by Trump and some Republicans who could run alongside Craig on the 2022 ballot. Craig offered a vague answer when asked whether he believes the election outcome was determined by fraud.
“If there was evidence, if there was a proper investigation that the election was stolen ... I don’t have that information,” Craig said. “But what I do certainly support is election integrity.”
Craig took questions at a podium with a campaign logo reading “Chief James Craig for Governor,” but said he’s not yet ready to officially declare his candidacy. Voters can expect some clarity in two weeks, Craig said, but for now he plans to travel the state and learn more about key issues.
Meeting participants included House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Clare; State Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte; former GOP House Speaker Tom Leonard, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker, Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy, Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, and Clinton County Prosecutor Tony Spagnuolo. Craig said the task force is bipartisan, though no Democrats could join Monday.
Craig summarized the group’s discussion of various issues related to policing, including bail reform, reforming police versus improving policing, the economic impact of crime on communities, the mental health crisis in jails. Craig said closing the meeting to reporters shouldn’t reflect on his commitment to transparency.
Craig criticized the “defund the police” movement, saying it’s demoralizing police officers and prompting them to leave their jobs. He called on Democrats to “show courage” and condemn members of their party that support divesting funds from police departments.
“It’s reckless conversation, but those who are moderate are complicit when they sit there and say nothing,” Craig said.
Whitmer visited Detroit one week earlier to unveil her proposal to fund police departments with $75 million from the federal COVID-19 stimulus. The governor said police need more funds for recruiting, training, equipment and other supports to be effective, she said. The focus on law enforcement comes as the U.S. is experiencing a surge in violent crime.
Craig said the proposal, one of several initiatives Whitmer wants to pay for with federal pandemic relief, is “politically motivated.” Craig said Whitmer, who marched in protests against police brutality last summer, is trying to distance herself from the defund the police movement.
“When you talk about hiring, what are you going to do to support the men and women of law enforcement who do it right,” Craig said.
The former police chief found common ground with Whitmer on the need to prosecute people who have illegal firearms. However, he criticized prosecutors who aren’t enforcing certain laws. He specifically called out Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Seimon, who plans to limit the use of felony firearms charges when a gun isn’t used in the crime.
Previously, Seimon said in a press release prosecuting people for having a gun when committing a felony, even if it’s not used, disproportionately impacts Black people in the county.
Craig pointed several times to a poll that found Detroit residents feel safer with more police on the street. The poll -- conducted by USA TODAY, Suffolk University and the Detroit Free Press -- found 65% of respondents don’t support the slogan “defund the police.”
A more recent EPIC-MRA poll of Michigan voters found Craig has more work ahead to become familiar with voters. Just over half -- 52% -- of respondents did not recognize his name.
Two in 10 respondents had a favorable opinion of Craig, while 11% had an unfavorable view and 17% were undecided. Craig was the only GOP gubernatorial candidate who was included in the poll.
Whitmer’s favorability was recorded at 50%, with 45% unfavorable and 5% undecided.
The poll suggests Craig is competitive in a head-to-head matchup with Whitmer. The Democratic governor would win by one percentage point if poll respondents cast their votes today.
Michigan voters were closely split on how the COVID-19 crisis has progressed during the last few months. Three in 10 said the situation improved, another 30% felt the pandemic worsened and 35% said it’s remained the same.
Forty-three percent of respondents said Michigan is headed in the wrong direction, compared to 39% who said the state is on track. -- 63% gave Michigan’s economy a negative rating,
Six hundred Michigan voters were surveyed over the phone from Aug. 9 to Aug. 15 for the poll, which was released to the press on Sunday. The poll has a +/- 4% margin of error.
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