Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig (Republican) has told multiple media outlets that he is withdrawing from the Michigan Senate race.
In an interview with Associated Press and detroit news, Craig confirmed he is holding off on running in the Republican primary for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat. Michigan’s Senate race could turn to Republicans’ advantage after Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) announced she would not seek re-election in November.
“This is strictly a business decision,” Craig said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’m not going to quit because I feel like there’s no support. But from the business side, you need money to run a campaign.”
He also told The Associated Press and The Detroit News that he is considering running for Detroit mayor next year.
The Detroit News reported that Craig’s campaign has $27,999 available in early 2024. He told the paper that his campaign had received an estimate that Craig would need $350,000 to gather enough signatures to remain in the race and to verify that the signatures are valid. .
“The reality is that fundraising is the challenge right now,” Craig told The Detroit News.
The Detroit News first pointed out that his campaign website is: Donation acceptance has ended.
Craig will retire as police chief in 2021 and run for Michigan governor in 2022. Later, it was discovered that some of the signatures on his candidate’s petition were fraudulent, and he was disqualified from voting for the Republican nomination.
He announced his candidacy for a U.S. Senate seat last October.
There are now fewer candidates seeking the Republican nomination, including former Reps. Mike Rogers and Peter Meyer, and businessman Sandy Pensler. Former Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan also said last month that he was considering forming a review committee to throw the issue into the ring.
On the Democratic side, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) is believed to be favored to win the nomination.
The Hill has reached out to his camp for comment.
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