David R. Craig (born June 12, 1949) is an American 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 from 1995 to 1999, representing Harford County, and from 1990 to 1994 in the Maryland House of Delegates. He was also elected mayor of Havre de Grace from 1985 to 1989, and 2001 to 2005.[7] Craig was a teacher and assistant principal in the Harford County Public School System for 34 years.[8]

Early life and education

Craig was born in 1949 in Havre de Grace, Maryland to Joseph E. Craig (1917–2011).[9][citation needed] He graduated Havre de Grace High School in 1967, and obtained a B.S. in History from Towson University in 1971 and a master's degree from Morgan State University.[9][10][citation needed]

Personal life

Craig married his high school sweetheart, Melinda Lee Blevins, in 1971.[11] They have three children and nine grandchildren.[12]

Teaching career

Craig spent 34 years in the Harford County Public School System as a teacher and assistant principal. He began teaching in 1971 at Edgewood Junior High School. He then taught at Havre de Grace Community School for seven years, and later at Magnolia Middle School, Aberdeen High School, and Edgewood High School.[9]

Political career

Local government

Craig began his political career serving on the Havre de Grace City Council. Beginning in 1979, he was elected to three consecutive two-year terms. He was elected mayor of Havre de Grace from 1985 to 1989 and 2001 to 2005.[7] He resigned upon being sworn 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 Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1991–92; Ways and Means Committee, 1992–93 (education subcommittee); and Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1994. He was the vice chair of the Harford County Delegation in 1993.[9][13]

Maryland State Senate

Craig was elected to the Maryland Senate in 1994 and served until 1999, representing District 34 (Harford County). He was a member of the 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; and Joint Committee on Protocol. He was the chair of the Harford County Delegation, 1998–99.[9][citation needed]

Harford County Executive

Craig ran for Harford County Executive in 1998 against then-Delegate James Harkins. Harkins defeated Craig in the Republican primary and was subsequently re-elected in 2002. Harkins resigned as County Executive to become Director of Maryland Environmental Service in 2005, and Craig was appointed by the County Council to fulfill the term. Craig was then elected as County Executive in 2006 and 2010.[9] As mayor of Havre de Grace, Craig was elected president of the Maryland Municipal League (MML) in 2005, and in 2010 as County Executive, 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.[14] He was defeated by Larry Hogan in the Republican gubernatorial primary on June 24, 2014.[15]

Election results

  • 2006 race for Harford County Executive - Harford County[16]
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-ins 75   0.1%    Lost
  • 1998 race for Harford County Executive - Harford County - Republican primary[17]
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
  • 1994 race for Maryland State Senate – District 34 - Harford County[18]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
David R. Craig, Rep. 17,444   54%    Won
Habern W. Freeman, Dem. 14,676   46%    Lost
  • 1990 race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 34 - Harford County[19]
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

Legacy

The David Craig Park on Saint John Street in Havre de Grace was named after him.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Secretary of Planning Wendi Peters". Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  2. ^ "Governor Hogan Swears in Planning Secretary | Maryland Planning Blog". Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  3. ^ Dresser, Michael (June 3, 2013). "Craig launches GOP bid for governor". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. 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, 2013.
  5. ^ The Washington Post staff (June 25, 2014). "Results: Primary elections, Maryland". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  6. ^ County Government, Harford. "County Executive, David R. Craig". Harford Co. Government. Archived from the original on April 30, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2005.
  7. ^ a b "Havre de Grace Mayors". msa.maryland.gov. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Bio". Archived from the original on July 2, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Johnson, Yvonne (May 12, 2017). "Career public servant 'grew up' on APG". apgnews.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  10. ^ "Havre de Grace 'with Warrior pride in our eyes'". Baltimore Sun. June 7, 2013. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  11. ^ "Republican David Craig Formally Announces Bid For Md. Governor". June 3, 2013. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  12. ^ "Harford County Executive announces candidacy for Md. governor". Herald. June 3, 2013. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "Maryland State Archives - David R. Craig, County Executive, Harford County, Maryland". Maryland State Gov. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013.
  14. ^ Kunkle, Frederick (February 19, 2014). "GOP governor candidate David Craig unveils plan to eliminate Md. personal income tax". Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  15. ^ "Brown, Hogan win Md. gubernatorial contests". Washington Post. June 24, 2014. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  16. ^ "Harford County Executive Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2007. Retrieved on Nov. 3, 2007
  17. ^ "Harkins wins nod in Harford GOP race Primary 1998". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  18. ^ "State Senate Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2007. Retrieved on Nov. 3, 2007
  19. ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2007. Retrieved on Nov. 3, 2007
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