First of all, let's agree: Yes, we do have a public safety crisis. Crime is surging. And our leaders NEED to do something to keep our citizens safe.
 

But the White House gets the problem all wrong. They love to tell us that we have a "gun problem."
 

No, we don't. Why do we blame the violence on guns? The blame lies with the criminals!
 

And if we want to solve the problem, the answer is not to write new gun laws targeting law-abiding gun owners – FAR from it – it's to target criminals by enforcing the laws already on the books.
 

Let's say this loud and clear: The Second Amendment is not a problem in need of a solution.

In fact, giving law-abiding citizens the means to protect themselves is a necessary part of securing public safety in our communities.
 

I know this from experience!
 

Unlike most of our politicians, I've spent the past 40 years actually devoting my life to keeping the peace. And I can tell you that the conventional wisdom you hear in the media is all wrong.
 

Want to tackle gun crime? The key is to focus on individuals illegally carrying guns. Doing that, you can reduce the incidents of gun violence, because they're the ones committing the acts of violence.
 

Criminals are not following the law anyway, so more gun laws don't mean reduced violence!
 

I can guarantee you right now in Detroit, there are individuals charged with premeditated murder who are back out in the community while they await trial. When we make those arrests, judges let them back out in the community. There's no incentive not to carry a gun. They'll even joke with our officers: "I'll be out before the end of your shift." It's absolutely disheartening.
 

Grandstanding politicians love to pass new laws that only law-abiding citizens will follow. They've lost sight of how the laws they write get applied in the real world. 
 

But real leaders are focused on solutions – solutions that get results. And that's why I'm speaking out now.
 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of politician-speak. It’s what got us into our current public safety crisis, with rising crime and struggling police departments.

We deserve REAL leadership. Let me introduce myself to you and offer a clear contrast to the kind of failed leadership we’re used to in Michigan.
 

My 40+ years serving as a police officer taught me a lot about leadership – and a lot about the importance of law and order.
 

See, I grew up in Detroit during the '67 riots, watching tanks rolling down these streets. I remember snipers on the roofs.
 

When police aren’t funded, when police aren't supported, it’s the citizens who suffer.
 

Since I've been Chief of Police in Detroit, the police have never retreated. We are here to protect our citizens.
 

When I came home to run the Detroit Police Department, it was in shambles. Morale, equipment – it all needed help. The response time to 911 calls was an hour, if you were lucky.
 

I started with Colony Arms – the epicenter of crime in Detroit. I made it an example. We mounted an assault. Twenty to thirty arrests later, we cleaned it up. It showed that the police force was back in Detroit and that we never again would allow criminals to rule our city. That is leading from the front.

Then, I went into the city and met with every group I could find. Developed trust, showed what leadership could do.
 

So, when the unfortunate situation happened with George Floyd, and outsiders came here to try and burn us down, Detroit did not burn.
 

Leadership – real leadership – matters.
 

Living within the rules we set for others, instead of within some special rules for the elite.
 

No "rules for thee, not for me!"
 

Michigan has had enough of that. There are no kings and queens in America. Leading from the front. Why don't politicians get that?
 

Bringing our state back from the front. That's leadership.
 

I don't see much of that out there.
 

That’s why I opened an exploratory committee to help me think about a run for Governor of Michigan.
 

I believe in leading from the front – and I think you do too, Friend. That's why I'm inviting you to be a Lead from the Front donor. Contribute today and you will be a part of our team from Day 1.

Sometimes people are surprised to hear that I’m a Republican.
 

I grew up a Democrat. But then I watched as Democrats allowed our cities to riot, to burn, and to fail. I watched as they pushed handouts that increase dependency on the government for political gain.
 

And what the Democratic Party stands for today – liberal wokeism and a perpetual victimhood mentality – those are NOT my values.
 

And I've already told you MY position on "Defund the Police!"
 

I grew up in the church. I was taught to respect my elders, the importance of self-reliance, and the value of hard work. I read the writings of great Americans like Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington and Sojourner Truth.
 

Looking back on it, my values were always Republican values.
 

When I was Chief of Police, I didn't broadcast my personal political affiliation. But the truth is, I've been a Republican for a long time.
 

And I voted for President Trump in both elections – proudly.
 

Michigan Republicans need a candidate that can bring our message into areas that aren't traditionally Republican voters.
 

And all of Michigan needs a governor that leads from the front.
 

Lead from the front. Keep our people safe. Solve problems. That's what Michigan needs. Will you join me?
 

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Chief James Craig

Former Detroit Police Chief
 

P.S. I’m not a politician, I’m a police officer. I’m starting this process from scratch. Any amount you can donate to our team today would be much appreciated: https://secure.winred.com/james-craig-for-governor-exploratory-committee/action-177446

Contributions to Chief James Craig for Governor Exploratory Committee are not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. No corporate contribution checks or cash please.  State law requires political committees to use their best efforts to obtain and report the name, mailing address, employer and occupation for each individual whose contributions exceed $100 in an election cycle. Individual contributors may donate up to the maximum of $7,150 during an election cycle.