James Craig
Relationship with Donald Trump
James Craig has maintained a supportive relationship with former President Donald Trump throughout his political career, aligning himself with Trump's policies and positions despite some complications in their association.
Endorsement of Trump
In September 2023, prior to officially announcing his U.S. Senate candidacy, Craig publicly endorsed Trump's 2024 presidential bid in an opinion piece published in the Daily Caller.[1] In the endorsement, Craig wrote: "President Trump needs to win this election, and while in Washington again he is going to need other leaders supporting him who are unafraid of these problems Biden has created, leaders ready and eager to work towards tackling the issues confronting America."[2]
When asked about his endorsement of Trump, Craig stated that he "simply believes Trump's policies were working" and that was the basis for his support, not necessarily in hopes that Trump would reciprocate with an endorsement of Craig's Senate campaign.[2] However, Craig did acknowledge, "If he makes the decision to endorse me, certainly I will accept it."[2]
Promoting Trump's appeal to Black voters
In November 2023, Craig published an opinion piece arguing that Black voters were increasingly supporting Trump and would help him win Michigan in 2024. Craig cited polling data from The New York Times and Siena College that found 22% of Black voters in six battleground states said they would support Trump in the 2024 election, a significant increase from the 8% of Black voters Trump won nationally in 2020 and 6% in 2016.[3]
In this piece, Craig positioned himself as an "America first" Republican committed to bringing Trump's principles and vision to Congress, writing: "In this moment of transformation, I have chosen to run for United States Senate as an 'America first' Republican to take the principles and vision of former President Trump to the halls of Congress. His leadership was characterized by putting America and its citizens first, and I intend to carry that legacy forward."[4]
Border security and immigration rhetoric
During his brief Senate campaign, Craig adopted rhetoric similar to Trump's regarding immigration and border security. In April 2023, following Trump's campaign event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Trump focused heavily on border security, Craig participated in the event as one of the local officials supporting Trump.[5]
At this event, Trump called for "the largest deportation effort in the history of the nation" and described the increase in border crossings as "country changing" and "country threatening."[6] Craig, who was present at the event, has consistently emphasized border security as one of his top priorities during his political campaigns.[2]
Political identity as a Trump-aligned outsider
Throughout his political career, Craig has positioned himself as a Trump-friendly political outsider. In launching his Senate campaign, he explicitly framed himself as a "passionate public servant and Trump-friendly outsider in a field of 'establishment' types."[2] This positioning aligned with Trump's own anti-establishment messaging and appeal.
Despite Craig's strong public support for Trump, there is no record of Trump formally endorsing Craig's political campaigns for either governor or U.S. Senate before they ended.