“Hollywood Craig is back.” 

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig opened his first press conference since launching a campaign for mayor by acknowledging a nickname sometimes used to criticize his penchant for the spotlight of television cameras. Craig made it clear he was joking, but his decision to seek the city’s top leadership role was not made lightly.

“I’m not running for mayor because I want to be in charge, I’m running because I want to serve you,” Craig said. “As your former chief I made a commitment to protect and uplift this city, now I want to continue that commitment as your mayor.” 

Mayoral elections are non-partisan, but Craig affirmed his status as a Republican who endorsed President Donald Trump multiple times. Craig said he would have a “direct link” to the White House if elected to replace Mayor Mike Duggan, whose close relationship with former President Joe Biden yielded a large appropriation of federal pandemic relief funds.

“I’m authentic, I lived by being authentic my entire career,” Craig said. “Everybody knows I’m a Republican. I’ve had some people say ‘Why don’t you run as a Democrat or independent.’ I said ‘no.’ I am a Republican, but I am first a Detroiter. When I am mayor, I will reach out and touch Washington for much-needed financial help. 

“If you look across the country, I don’t know how many mayors will have the ability to touch this administration.”

Nine out of 10 Detroiters who voted in 2024 did not back Trump. However, the president earned 19,638 votes from Detroiters, more than doubling his support since his first campaign in 2016. Trump directed unprecedented focus on Detroit for a modern Republican candidate, galvanizing a growing, albeit small, group of conservative voters.

Will Craig’s status as a Trump supporter turn off voters he needs to make good on that alliance? Senior campaign adviser Gerald Williams said he’s not concerned. Craig will have the people behind him, he said.

“He’s the only candidate that has protected people,” Williams said. 

Craig joins a hefty list of mayoral hopefuls seeking to make the August primary ballot. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. on April 22. Other candidates who filed campaign committees include: 

• Businessman Jonathan Barlow
• Businessman Arnold Boyd
• City Council Member Fred Durhal III
• Businessman Joel Haashiim
• Former nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins
• Triumph Church Rev. Solomon Kinloch
• Community activist Rogelio Landin
• Attorney Todd Perkins
• City Council President Mary Sheffield

Craig is expected to have strong name recognition compared to the others, the former police chief is likely more well-known than some contenders, other than Kinloch and Sheffield. He was sporting a closely trimmed beard, saying he needed a new look for a new job.

Williams said Craig will marshal an impressive show of support at a campaign launch event scheduled for March 19 at the historic waterfront Roostertail venue. Williams teased the appearance of unnamed rappers who have previously partnered with mayoral rival Mary Sheffield, the City Council president.

Wednesday’s press conference was held at Executive Cuts, a barber shop on a growing commercial strip near the Detroit Riverwalk and the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. Owner De’Angelo Smith has been cutting Craig’s hair since 2014 and was the first to suggest he should run for mayor. 

A Spirit of Detroit Award given to Smith on his 40th birthday, signed by Sheffield, Durhal and other council members, hangs on the wall. Smith said it’s been exciting to see how the riverfront has grown over the life of his business, which started in 2013, describing the area as neglected. There’s since been more targeted investments, like Atwater Beach and Robert C. Valade Park, a connection to the Jos Campau Greenway, a new pocket park along Atwater street and other amenities. 

“We were able to endure those tough times and we made it to a point where things are looking up,” Smith said. “I’m happy to be a Detroiter and have a business here in the city. I’m looking forward to the future.” 

Smith was giving Del Davis, owner of Motor City Sweet Treats, a fresh cut during the event. Davis said he was there for his regular appointment, and found himself in the backdrop of Craig’s press conference. Davis said often sees Craig at the barber shop. 

“Every time I come here it’s good conversation, we don’t always agree politically but he’s a good guy and his integrity speaks for itself,” Davis said. “I’m getting locked in, understanding who the candidates are.” 

Craig remains “unapologetic” about his conservative stances, including past statements in support of arming teachers with guns and calling Black Lives Matter protesters Marxists. He repeated a common talking point he made in media appearances focused on his handling of the 2020 demonstrations, saying “Detroit is the only city that didn’t burn.” 

“Did we want a Seattle? Did we want someone to evict police officers from a police station?” Craig said. “Ask the average Joe who lives out here in Detroit and they’ll tell you ‘I appreciate what he did.’”

“I was a conservative as your police chief. I don’t lead and provide services based on party. If the people of the city of Detroit like the body of work and what we did as chief: More to come.” 

Craig’s leadership during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations catapulted him into the national spotlight, landing him recurring appearances as a commentator on Fox News and other conservative programs. 

It also resulted in the city paying $1 million to settle a federal lawsuit with demonstrators who accused Craig of authorizing excessive force. The complaint alleged DPD “reverted to brutal tactics to punish and abuse peaceful protesters,” using tear gas, pepper spray, sound cannons, rubber bullets, dangerous chokeholds and mass arrests without probable cause.

Craig called it the “summer of love.” 

Craig served as chief of police from 2013 to 2021 and was briefly deputy mayor under Duggan. He praised Duggan’s work to improve city services but said more needs to be done to improve conditions in the city’s neighborhoods.

Transparency and accountability are important parts of Craig’s approach to governance, he said. Craig described kicking a former City Council member out of his office after being asked whether he was under investigation. Craig didn’t name the politician, but said they were charged and could be referring to Andre Spivey or Gabe Leland. 

“If I had to put handcuffs on someone who was a sitting member of city government, I would have made sure they were arrested,” Craig said. 

Craig came in as Detroit’s fifth police chief in five years but left as the second-longest serving chief. Craig’s tenure saw a broad expansion of police surveillance technology through Project Green Light cameras installed in volunteering businesses.

Williams said criticisms of the surveillance network have crumbled in the face of arrests and crime deterrence. A four-year study by Michigan State University researchers found Project Green Light contributed to a drop in carjackings, but the overall impact on crime was “limited.” 

Craig retired in 2021 to run for governor but did not make the 2022 Republican primary ballot after submitting falsified signatures. He ran for an open U.S. Senate seat in 2024 but dropped out early due to fundraising issues. 

Craig said he was recovering from hip surgery and “probably shouldn’t have got into” the U.S. Senate race, but believes the previous campaigns prepared him to run for mayor.

Craig’s campaign website states he has a plan to address crime, economic growth, education, and government transparency. Craig said the city has become safer but residents often tell him they still don’t feel safe. Reducing statistics is one thing but perception is another, he said. 

“We need a mayor who will listen, someone not focused on the headlines,” Craig said. “Even though I did say I’m Hollywood Craig, it’s not about the headlines, but your daily reality.”