David R. Craig

David Craig
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning[1]
In office
February 1, 2015 – July 28, 2016[2]
Preceded by Richard Eberhart Hall
Succeeded by Wendi W. Peters
Executive of Harford County
In office
July 7, 2005 – December 1, 2014
Preceded by James Harkins
Succeeded by Barry Glassman
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 34th district
In office
1995–1999
Preceded by Habern W. Freeman
Succeeded by Nancy Jacobs
Personal details
Born (1949-06-12) June 12, 1949
Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Melinda Lee Blevins
Children Randy
Pamela
Courtney
Alma mater Towson University
Morgan State University
Religion Methodism
Signature

David R. Craig (born June 12, 1949) is a Republican Party politician from the State of Maryland who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Governor of Maryland in 2014.[3][4][5] He was appointed, and sworn in as Harford County Executive[6] on July 7, 2005. Craig was elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. Craig previously served in the Maryland State Senate in 1995–99 representing Harford County and in 1990-94 in the Maryland House of Delegates. He was also elected Mayor of Havre de Grace in 1985, 1987, 2001 and 2005. David was a teacher and assistant principal in the Harford County Public School System for thirty-four years.[7]

Early life, education and career

Craig was born in 1949 in Havre de Grace, Maryland. He graduated Havre de Grace High School in 1967, and obtained a B.S. in History from Towson University and a Master's degree from Morgan State University.[8] He married his high-school sweetheart; Melinda Lee Blevins, in 1971.[9] They have three children and eight grandchildren.[10]

Craig spent thirty-four years in the Harford County Public School System as a teacher and assistant principal.

Political career

Local government

Craig began his political career serving on the Havre de Grace City Council. He was elected Mayor of Havre de Grace in 1985, 1987, 2001 and 2005. He resigned upon swearing in as the Harford County Executive.

Maryland House of Delegates

Craig was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1990, representing District 34 (Harford County). He was a member of the following committees: Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1991–92; Ways and Means Committee, 1992-93 (education subcommittee); Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1994. Vice-Chair, Harford County Delegation, 1993.[11]

Maryland State Senate

Craig was then elected to the Maryland Senate in 1994 and served until 1999, representing District 34 (Harford County). He was a member of the following committees: Joint Committee to Study Mandates on Local Government, 1995–97; Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee, 1995–99 (education subcommittee; health subcommittee); Executive Nominations Committee, 1995–99; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1995–99; Joint Committee on Protocol. Chair, Harford County Delegation, 1998-99.

Harford County Executive

Craig ran for Harford County Executive in 1998 against then-Delegate James Harkins. Harkins easily defeated Craig in the Republican Primary and was subsequently re-elected in 2002. Harkins resigned as County Executive to become Director of Maryland Environmental Services in 2005, clearing the way for Craig to be appointed by the county council. As Mayor of Harve deGrace, Craig was elected President of the Maryland Municipal League(MML) in 2005, and in 2010 he was elected by his peers as President of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). He is the first elected official to have served as President of both organizations.

2014 Maryland gubernatorial candidacy

David Craig announced his candidacy for Governor of Maryland on July 3, 2013. His position platform included phasing out the income tax in Maryland. [12] He was defeated by Larry Hogan in the Republican gubernatorial primary on June 24, 2014.[13]

Election results

Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
David R. Craig, Rep. 46,121   52%    Won
Ann C. Helton, Dem. 42,442   47.9%    Lost
Write-In's 75   0.1%    Lost
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
James Harkins, Rep. 8,324   56%    Won
David R. Craig, Rep. 6,378   43%    Lost
Vedell Pace, Rep. 184   1%    Lost
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
David R. Craig, Rep. 17,444   54%    Won
Habern W. Freeman, Dem. 14,676   46%    Lost
Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Rose Mary Hatem Bonsack, Dem. 13,373   19%    Won
Mary Louise Preis, Dem. 13,045   19%    Won
David R. Craig, Rep. 12,031   18%    Won
William H. Cox Jr., Dem. 10,296   15%    Lost
David M. Meadows, Rep. 10,069   15%    Lost
Cecil W. Wood, Rep. 9,840   14%    Lost

References

  1. ↑ http://planning.maryland.gov/OurWork/biosecretary.shtml
  2. ↑ https://mdplanningblog.com/2016/07/27/governor-hogan-swears-in-planning-secretary/
  3. ↑ Dresser, Michael. "Craig launches GOP bid for governor". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  4. ↑ Wagner, John (June 15, 2013). "In Maryland, Republicans look to next year's governor's race". Washington Post. Retrieved June 15. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  5. ↑ The Washington Post staff (June 25, 2014). "Results: Primary elections, Maryland". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  6. ↑ County Government, Harford. "County Executive, David R. Craig". Harford Co. Government. Retrieved July 7, 2005.
  7. ↑ "Bio".
  8. ↑ "Havre de Grace 'with Warrior pride in our eyes'".
  9. ↑ http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/06/03/republican-david-craig-formally-announces-bid-for-md-governor/
  10. ↑ "Harford County Executive announces candidacy for Md. governor". Herald.
  11. ↑ "Maryland State Archives - David R. Craig, County Executive, Harford County, Maryland". Maryland State Gov. Retrieved 2005. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  12. ↑ Kunkle, Frederick (February 19, 2014). "GOP governor candidate David Craig unveils plan to eliminate Md. personal income tax". Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Brown, Hogan win Md. gubernatorial contests". Washington Post. June 24, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Harford County Executive Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on Nov. 3, 2007
  15. ↑ "Harkins wins nod in Harford GOP race Primary 1998". Baltimore Sun.
  16. ↑ "State Senate Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on Nov. 3, 2007
  17. ↑ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on Nov. 3, 2007
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