Detroit Chief Craig To Retire, Could Run For Governor: Reports

DETROIT — Detroit Police Chief James Craig is expected to retire Monday and is considering a run for a state office.

FOX 2 reported Friday that the Detroit police chief is considering a run against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2022.

Patch has reached out to Craig's office for comment.

Craig, 65, has been with the Detroit Police Department since 2013 after being appointed police chief by Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr. A Cass Tech High School graduate, Craig joined the department in 1977.

He left in 1981 when he was laid off but quickly found work around the nation, making stops in Los Angeles, Portland, Maine, and Cincinnati — the latter two stops of which he was also chief of police for the respective departments.

If Craig did decide to oppose Whitmer in the upcoming race for governor, he would be the first prominent Republican name in the race.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel recently said she has considered stepping down from her current position in order to challenge Whitmer in 2022, according to a report by Politico's Alex Isenstadt. However, it remains unclear how serious McDaniel was when she was making those comments.

McDaniel reportedly met with members of the RNC in Dallas. According to the report, McDaniel became emotional at the meeting when describing how her two children have been unable to return to in-person learning and how Whitmer has "severely mishandled the coronavirus pandemic."

Many in the Republican party initially wanted Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller to run against Whitmer, but she put the kibosh on those rumors in January.

I appreciate the support of the people of Macomb County in my recent re-election and I am committed to fulfilling my duties here," Miller said in January while discrediting rumors that she'd run against Whitmer. "Improving water quality in our magnificent Great Lakes, upgrading and maintaining our infrastructure and being a positive component of economic prosperity for Macomb County – these remain my focus."

Lee Chatfield and John James have been mentioned as potential candidates, although neither has shown strong interest in running.

Michigan Senate Majority leader Mike Shirkey also has had his name tossed around as a potential candidate, although he previously told The Detroit News that he has "no interest" in running for governor.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.