5 Shocking Political Missteps And The Unexpected 2025 Comeback Of James Craig, Detroit's Former Top Cop
The political career of James E. Craig, the former Detroit Police Department (DPD) Chief, has been a rollercoaster of high-profile law enforcement success and staggering political failure. As of December 2025, Craig is back in the spotlight, having officially launched his campaign for Detroit Mayor in the November 4, 2025, general election, while simultaneously promoting his new memoir.
This latest mayoral bid marks his third attempt at political office since retiring from the DPD in 2021, following two highly publicized and ultimately unsuccessful statewide campaigns. His current strategy is doubling down on a "law-and-order pitch" to address Detroit’s summer surge in gun violence, but his conservative identity and past controversies pose significant challenges as he seeks a "cross-party coalition" in a historically Democratic city.
James E. Craig: A Law Enforcement and Political Profile
- Full Name: James E. Craig
- Born: 1956
- Primary Career: Law Enforcement Officer, Politician
- Key Positions:
- Chief of Police, Detroit Police Department (DPD) (July 2013 – 2021)
- Chief of Police, Cincinnati Police Department
- Chief of Police, Portland Police Department (Maine)
- Began Law Enforcement Career: Detroit (1977)
- Notable Political Campaigns:
- 2025 Detroit Mayoral Candidate
- Failed 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial Campaign (Failed to qualify for ballot)
- Failed 2024 Republican U.S. Senate Campaign (Dropped out)
- Recent Publications (2025): Beyond the Badge: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Law Enforcement
Beyond the Badge: Craig's DPD Legacy and New Memoir
James Craig’s eight-year tenure as the 42nd Chief of Police for the Detroit Police Department (DPD) is the foundation of his current political identity. Appointed in July 2013, he famously brought his law enforcement career "full-circle," having started as a Detroit officer in 1977 before moving on to lead departments in other cities like Portland, Maine, and Cincinnati.
His time at the DPD was characterized by a tough-on-crime approach that garnered him significant support, particularly among residents concerned about public safety. He was often praised for his visible presence and his commitment to community policing, which he touts as a key success in his career.
The former Chief is now capitalizing on his law enforcement reputation with the release of his new book, Beyond the Badge: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Law Enforcement, which he has been promoting across Michigan media outlets in late 2025. The memoir details his journey, offering a look at the challenges and successes he faced across multiple municipal police departments. It serves as a timely piece of content, reinforcing his image as a seasoned leader just as he dives back into the political arena.
The Shadow of DPD Controversies
Despite the positive narrative he presents, Craig's DPD tenure is not without significant controversy. Public records revealed a shocking detail: Craig was not a licensed law enforcement officer in the State of Michigan for the duration of his time as the Detroit police chief. While the DPD argued his certification as a police officer in the state of California satisfied the requirement, this technicality became a major point of contention and a political vulnerability.
Furthermore, his department faced multiple outstanding lawsuits alleging police misconduct. These lawsuits contended that Detroit police responded to peaceful demonstrations with excessive force, including beatings and chokeholds. These accusations of police brutality and lack of accountability under his command cast a long shadow over his "law-and-order" platform as he campaigns for Mayor.
The 5 Shocking Political Missteps That Defined His Career
James Craig's transition from respected police chief to a Michigan political figure has been marked by a series of dramatic missteps, often referred to as his "wild, weird political misadventures." These failures highlight a significant disconnect between his public profile and the complex machinery of state politics.
- The Forged Signatures Scandal (Gubernatorial Campaign): In what was arguably his most damaging political blow, Craig's 2022 campaign for Michigan Governor collapsed after a signature fraud scandal. Opponents successfully challenged his petition signatures, claiming that his campaign turned in thousands of forged signatures. Ultimately, the Michigan Bureau of Elections found that Craig did not collect enough valid signatures to qualify for the August primary ballot, forcing him to drop out of the race entirely.
- The Unlicensed Officer Controversy: While a DPD Chief, the revelation that James Craig was not a licensed law enforcement officer in Michigan—a requirement for the role—created a major public relations crisis. This detail was used by political rivals to question his qualifications and commitment to Michigan's state laws, despite his long career in policing.
- Refusal to Disavow Corrupt Campaign Advisor: Craig faced significant criticism for his refusal to fully distance himself from controversial figures in Michigan Republican politics. Specifically, he was scrutinized for not disavowing his association with former Michigan State House Speaker Lee Chatfield, who was facing serious legal fallout and corruption accusations. This decision suggested a loyalty to the Republican establishment that alienated moderate voters and reinforced his conservative identity.
- The Aborted U.S. Senate Bid: After the gubernatorial campaign failure, Craig briefly launched a Republican campaign for an open U.S. Senate seat. This campaign was short-lived and he quickly dropped out, adding another entry to his list of failed political ventures. This quick retreat further fueled the narrative that he was an ineffective political candidate, despite his strong name recognition.
- The Ideological Hurdles in Detroit: As a conservative figure running for Mayor in a predominantly Democratic city like Detroit, Craig faces a monumental ideological challenge. His campaign staff and speakers have openly acknowledged that he must overcome voter hesitation regarding his conservative identity. His hope lies in a "cross-party coalition" focused on law-and-order, but the political missteps of the past make uniting a diverse electorate difficult.
The 2025 Mayoral Campaign: Law-and-Order Comeback
Craig's 2025 Detroit mayoral campaign is his latest attempt to pivot back to a position of power, leveraging the one asset that remains largely intact: his reputation for fighting crime. The campaign launched with a clear focus on public safety, specifically addressing the summer surge in gun violence that has plagued the city. He is positioning himself as the only candidate with the experience and fortitude to restore order and make Detroit neighborhoods safe again.
Announcing his run from a local barbershop near the Detroit Riverwalk, Craig is attempting to project an image of a man of the people, despite his conservative political leanings. He is betting that the immediate, visceral concern over crime will override voters' ideological reservations about his past political failures and his association with the Republican Party.
The November 4, 2025, election will be a true test of whether James Craig can successfully separate his law enforcement legacy from his controversial political track record. His campaign is a high-stakes gamble, aiming to convince a skeptical electorate that his "leadership lessons" from his book, Beyond the Badge, are precisely what Detroit needs to move forward.
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