Former Detroit Police Chief Announces Run For Governor Against Democrat Gretchen Whitmer

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig announced on Wednesday night’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” that he will run for Governor in Michigan against incumbent Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.

Craig, who is African-American, has been outspoken against the far-left, particularly concerning the “defund the police” movement and draconian COVID lockdowns.

Craig said that one of the reasons he is running is to oppose the severe lockdown policies put in place by Whitmer during the the COVID outbreak. 

Craig said of Whitmer that she “follows different rules: she just does.” He also stated that he wants to help, “the small businesses who are suffering through the pandemic” that are being offered handouts while they “can’t even hire employees.”

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Craig Would Bring A Fresh Approach

James Craig would be sure to bring a new voice and a fresh approach to the Governor’s office in Michigan. Craig spent 44 years in law enforcement, eight of those years heading up the Detroit Police Department.

During his announcement, he pointed out to Carlson that during last summer’s riots in the wake of the death of George Floyd that plagued most major American cities, that Detroit “did not burn.”

Earlier this year, he ripped far-left ‘Squad’ member Rashida Tlaib for her calls to abolish the police. 

“She’s reckless,” Craig told Fox 2 Detroit. “I’d love to see her resign. I’d throw her a goodbye party.”

“Who is she speaking for?” he continued. “When you talk about abolishing police, incarceration, when you talk about safe cities – what do you think the residents in Detroit want?”

Craig began his career in law enforcement in Detroit, then spent 28 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. He was also Police Chief in Portland, Maine and Cincinnati, Ohio prior to returning home to Detroit.

Craig, who currently is being seen as the early favorite to win the Republican nomination, joins an already crowded field of Republican candidates that includes chiropractor and anti-lockdown activist Garrett Soldano, and conservative commentator Tudor Dixon.

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Gretchen Whitmer And COVID-19

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer became famous, or infamous, for her rigid lockdown executive orders at the height of the pandemic. While she issued stay-at-home orders like many other Governors, and ordered schools and businesses closed, there were also some questionable restrictions that brought the Governor’s scope of powers into question.

Forbes reported in April 2020 that Whitmer had banned the sale of gardening supplies, saying it came under the heading of non-essential, and ordered all stores that were larger than 50,000 square feet to cordon off their garden centers.

At the announcement of the order she stated, “If you’re not buying food or medicine or other essential items, you should not be going to the store.” 

After much outcry, Whitmer rescinded the order on April 24. But that did not stop GOP lawmakers from suing Whiter in May of 2020, claiming that Whitmer was acting illegally and overstepping her authority.

The case ultimately went all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court, who ruled that Whitmer had violated her constitutional authority by issuing orders to fight the pandemic without consulting the legislature.

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Response From Opponents

During his appearance with Tucker Carlson, Chief Craig said he would hold Gov. Whitmer accountable and show her “what leadership looks like.”

Carlson asked Craig if he was ready for whatever Democrats would throw at him.

Craig’s response: “Oh, they’re throwing it at me now, Tucker. They know I’m on your show tonight.” Carlson jokingly said, “Wait till they call you a white supremacist,” to which Craig said, “Bring it. I’m ready for it…!”

After Craig’s appearance on Carlson’s show, the Michigan Democrat Party put out a response:

“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.”

You can watch James Craig’s entire appearance with Tucker Carlson here: