Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig formally announced his mayoral bid Wednesday, kicking off his campaign with, "Hollywood Craig is back" to reporters at an east side barber shop.

Former police chief James Craig says Detroit should elect him mayor based on his ties to the city and history as a public servant, not his political party. Why it matters: Craig is the only stated Republican so far in the nonpartisan race to lead a heavily Democratic city.

The former Detroit police chief spoke with the media from a small business Wednesday, officially launching his mayoral campaign.