Supporters of James Craig hope his mayoral campaign can build a cross-party coalition as the Republican former police chief runs in a city where Democratic candidates dominate.

Craig invited friends and guests to a ballroom fundraiser this week at the Roostertail, a waterfront event venue offering a panoramic view of the Detroit River. The crowd included conservative politicians from beyond the city, like former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, 13th District GOP Chair Alexandria Taylor, Republican strategist Meghan Reckling and Susan Kokinda, coalitions vice chair for the Michigan Republican Party. 

Detroit City Council Member Mary Waters briefly appeared but later said she plans to listen to all mayoral candidates whenever possible. Waters said Craig has a wealth of public safety experience “that will heighten the debate for those that would be mayor.”

Campaign staff and speakers acknowledged Craig has to overcome voters’ hesitation about his conservative identity, but they’re confident his track record will outshine his party affiliation in the nonpartisan race. De’Angelo Smith, Craig’s barber and “spiritual adviser,” said supporters need to confront skepticism head-on.

“This is the message we need to get out: Have people do their research on James Craig, and they’ll find out what kind of man he is,” Smith said. “They won’t look at what the media or anybody else has said, do your own research.”

Craig offered a broad view of the city’s challenges during a Wednesday stump speech. He pledged to improve schools by using “the bully pulpit” and remove regulatory red tape that ties up small businesses. Craig also criticized Democratic mayors in Chicago and Los Angeles while praising Mayor Mike Duggan’s leadership.

Craig ended the event by playing a campaign theme song written by retired DPD Sgt. Michael Sanders. Afterward, BridgeDetroit asked Craig to name a policy idea that would address issues outlined in his speech.

“You talk about policy, I talk about crisis management,” Craig said. “It’s not an if, it’s when a tragedy happens. Do you want someone coming in and regurgitating what they think will work? No, you want someone who is crisis trained.” 

Detroit hasn’t had a Republican as its mayor since Louis Miriani, who left office in 1961. But supporters believe a shifting electorate could make Craig competitive. Republican voters are a growing minority in Detroit, and President Donald Trump gained nearly 20,000 votes last November. 

Leonard, a DeWitt lobbyist, said Craig’s candidacy is exciting not just because of his Republican ideals, but because he has a deep knowledge of public safety. Leonard recalled having a long conversation about the mental health crisis after asking Craig what he could do as House Speaker to help Detroit.

If crime is a top issue for voters, and Leonard said that’s a fair bet, Craig could speak with unique authority. 

Craig outlined his record at the Detroit Police Department, saying he improved response times, homicide clearance rates and opened new police stations. Craig said he would “double down” on neighborhood safety and prioritize community policing as mayor.

Stacey Burris, a 10-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department, said Craig has a reputation for bringing accountability and structure to the organization. Burris was there with his girlfriend and her mother, neither of whom lived in Detroit.

The event included remarks from several business owners like Mark Oliver, who formerly worked on Craig’s security detail at DPD and was later hired by Craig to protect him during the 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Oliver said Craig has helped grow his security business from a team of five to over 200 operating in five states. 

“It’s because of Chief Craig’s vision for us, he believed in us and talks about us every chance he gets,” Oliver said. “You can trust this man … I’ve served under several mayors in this city, and this man has what it takes to be the next mayor of the city of Detroit.”

The former police chief again took credit for keeping the city safe during Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the summer of 2020, repeating the phrase “Detroit did not burn.” Craig denied allegations that his officers used excessive force against peaceful protesters, which resulted in Detroit paying $1 million to settle a federal lawsuit. 

“It’s unfortunate that it was settled,” Craig said of the lawsuit. “I don’t agree with it. I would have fought that tooth and nail.”

Kokinda said that Craig deserves credit for the lack of arson or looting. 

“I grew up in downriver (from) Detroit, and I sat here and watched it burn in 1967,” Kokinda said. “The fact that it didn’t during Black Lives Matter is a big one for me.”

Craig is one of 10 candidates who formed committees to run for mayor and 32 who requested nominating petitions. The official field of candidates competing in the August primary will be set after the April 22 filing deadline. 

A February poll by the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus showed Craig is among the most-recognized candidates behind Council President Mary Sheffield. But it also showed Craig underperforming with Black residents, seniors, union members and women. Over a third of respondents (35%) had an unfavorable impression while 26% viewed him favorably.

Taylor, who was selected this year to lead Republican organizing in a Congressional district spanning from Romulus to Detroit to Grosse Pointe, said Craig is well known by Detroit voters. Taylor said voters scan the ballot for names they recognize, which helps in a crowded field, and party affiliation isn’t listed on the ballot. 

“He has crossover appeal,” Taylor said. “You have the old school Detroiters who remember his time as chief but I think he has traction with young people.” 

Taylor is a former Democrat who now describes the party as a “plantation.” She was formally ejected by the Michigan Democratic Party in 2023, meaning she can never rejoin, which Taylor said is a “badge of pride.” Taylor represented former Michigan GOP Chair Kristina Karamo in a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Detroit absentee ballots.

She is working to recruit more conservative candidates to run for local races across Wayne County, bolstered by the increasing number of Republican voters in past presidential elections.

Kokinda, a newer Republican organizer who said she wouldn’t be in the party if not for President Donald Trump, said the GOP mailed 40,000 leaflets to homes in Wayne and Macomb counties for the 2024 election. She’s seen union auto workers and former Democrats shift toward Trump and his reshaped Republican Party. 

“It’s a new Republican Party,” Kokinda said. “If people look at the old Republican Party, what I call the party of Wall Street and war, they’re gonna walk away and I don’t blame them. If you have within the platform that we’re the party of manufacturing and workers, I think that’s the message that will resonate.”

When asked whether Craig has a strong chance of winning, Kokinda called Craig “the best shot we’ve got.”