James Craig in 2022 MI Governor's race
On Abortion:
Gave a "thumbs up" to being pro-life
Craig gave two thumbs up--twice--initially after his first mention of
Trump and later after sharing that he was pro-life.
Source: Deadline Detroit on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jul 6, 2021
On Abortion:
Supports 1931 state abortion ban still on the books
Craig said he would block any attempt to repeal Michigan's ban on abortion, according to a secret audio recording. The 1931 law was nullified following Roe v. Wade. In the recording, which was obtained by American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal
political action committee, Craig is asked if he would stop Democrats "from undoing the law that makes abortion illegal in Michigan." Asked if he supports blocking Democrats from "repealing that law," Craig said, "Yes."
Source: Detroit Metro Times on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Sep 21, 2021
On Civil Rights:
I rose to the ranks; nobody gave me anything
Q: The person in charge of Black Lives Matter in greater New York has said that if a black person becomes a cop, they're no longer black. They're blue. CRAIG: That's ridiculous. I've been an African-American male all my life. I started in this
business 44 years ago, 10 years after the civil unrest in Detroit. I've been a proud African-American. I rose to the ranks. Nobody gave me anything so for him to say that, who does his family call when they need help? They call the police.
Source: FOX News: The Story on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Sep 14, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Established LGBTQ outreach from Detroit police
Other initiatives under Craig include establishing an LGBTQ outreach and a Peer Support Group for officers dealing with stress. Craig generally received high marks from longtime Detroit civil rights activists. But groups that gained prominence
last year to protest the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, including Detroit Will Breathe, have repeatedly called for Craig to be fired.
Source: The Detroit News on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
May 7, 2021
On Crime:
The vast majority of American police officers do it right
It's sad what we're going through. It feels so much like the critical race theory, that issue and so I've got to tell you, I'm unapologetic. This is wrong.
It shouldn't happen. Maybe they should call me in and let me do the investigation. We know that the vast majority of American police officers do it right.
Source: FOX News: Tucker Carlson on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jul 14, 2021
On Crime:
Bail reform is the enemy to trying to reduce violent crime
When I was Chief of Detroit and it still happens today, we were arresting criminals with guns a hundred a week. Prosecutors charge 75 percent of them and guess what happens next? Bail reform. Bail reform is the enemy to trying to reduce violent crime.
Nobody wants to talk about these other public servants called the judges, but they want to blame crime on police.
Source: FOX News: Tucker Carlson on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jun 23, 2021
On Crime:
Defund police? Hire a social worker for your security detail
L.A. just stripped 15 million from their budget. They defunded L.A.P.D., I bet they didn't reduce the size of the mayor's security team in Los Angeles, and as I was beginning to say about Cori Bush since she's a defund reimagining, how about you do
this? Put a social worker on your detail, just do that. These are the same Progressives that would also take guns from law-abiding Americans.
Source: FOX News on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jul 26, 2021
On Education:
Parents deserve school choice; led to his conservatism
On education, he said parents deserve school choice, particularly in vulnerable nonwhite neighborhoods. "They want to send their kids to a good school. As a young man, I knew that there was a high school that I wanted to go to. It wasn't choice.
And it was a high school that you have to compete to get in. And I got in, and I know it made a big difference in me professionally over the years," he said. In fact, it was school choice he said that began his transformation to conservatism.
Source: The Washington Examiner on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Aug 23, 2021
On Foreign Policy:
UN should investigate Cuba, not the US
Q: There are a lot of problems in the world. I wonder if we need like, say the Representative from Zimbabwe showing up in the U.N. to investigate our sins. Do you think?CRAIG: It's absolutely wrong, Tucker. It is misguided, it is irresponsible.
They should just go to Cuba. That's what they should do. Go to Cuba and find out what's going on over there. We don't need this. It's divisive and it really benefits status quo and the liberal elite. That's exactly what it does.
Source: FOX News: Tucker Carlson on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jul 14, 2021
On Government Reform:
Called for forensic audit of 2020 Michigan election results
Craig also endorsed a "forensic audit" of 2020 presidential election results in Michigan--similar to what has taken place in Arizona. Calls for such an audit have largely been criticized by elections officials and experts,
who've described the process as challenging the integrity of the state's election. Officials in Michigan, both Republican and Democratic, have pointed to no sign of widespread voter fraud in last year's election.
Source: The Holland Sentinel on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Sep 14, 2021
On Gun Control:
Disarm criminals, not law abiding citizens
When are we going to start talking about disarming criminals? I've been on the record, I support law abiding citizens to be armed but criminals? And so it's
OK to attack police officers and then everyone always says one thing, these were peaceful protesters so I guess when you throw a Molotov cocktails, railroad spikes, other projectiles, using green lasers, I guess that constitutes being peaceful.
Source: FOX News: The Story on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Sep 14, 2020
On Gun Control:
Gun buybacks are a comedy show, a recipe for failure
I heard you mention something earlier in the program about these gun buybacks: That's a comedy show. Violent criminals are still going to get the gun.
We are going to defund the police and hurt vulnerable communities and then take guns away from law-abiding citizens. That's a recipe for failure.
Source: FOX News on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jul 26, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Claimed that protestors against him were paid to be there
Craig made his official campaign announcement in a press conference on Detroit's Belle Isle. Craig couldn't even get a word in, as he was quickly swarmed by Detroit Will Breathe activists against police brutality. Craig used the opportunity to
level wild, baseless conspiracy theories in the style of Donald Trump, saying that the Department of Natural Resources, which runs the state park, purposefully chose not to protect him, and said that he believed that the protesters were paid to be there.
Source: Detroit Metro Times on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Sep 15, 2021
On Principles & Values:
This is about leading from the front & keeping people safe
[On police reform]: "This is about leading from the front; keeping people safe, which is a core responsibility; solving problems--that's what Michigan needs," the former police chief announced in a campaign-style video. "I led as chief of police--
and began my life--on the streets of Detroit. Now, it is time to travel the state and visit other communities."
Source: The Epoch Times on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Rejects objections to police graduations held in church
Despite objections, Craig said he'll continue using churches for graduations and other events. "We stand firm," the chief said. "As an option, we'll continue to use houses of worship for our graduations. That doesn't mean we're forcing our religious
beliefs on anyone. One factor is, these churches donate the space, so there's no cost to taxpayers... This saves taxpayer money, and it saves money to the families of our graduates."
Source: The Detroit News on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jan 1, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Michigan is the embodiment of the American dream
[On campaign philosophy]: "Michigan, in so many ways is the birthplace of American middle class and the embodiment of the American dream,"
Craig said. "Unfortunately, this promise, that American dream, seems so uncommon to so many people. That's a problem."
Source: The Holland Sentinel on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Sep 14, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Won't back down to liberal wokeism & woke corporations
[On cancel culture]: "I will never back down to liberal wokeism," he said.
He also complained of "woke corporations." Their agenda isn't "about working together."
Source: Deadline Detroit on 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Jul 6, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023