David R. Craig

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David Craig
Craig (c. 2011)
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
6th Executive of Harford County
In office July 7, 2005 – December 1, 2014
Preceded by	James Harkins
Succeeded by	Barry Glassman
34th Mayor of Havre de Grace
In office 2001–2005
Member of the Maryland Senate from the 34th district
In office 1995–1999
Preceded by	Habern W. Freeman
Succeeded by	Nancy Jacobs
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 34th district
In office 1991–1994
Preceded by	Barbara Osborn Kreamer
Succeeded by	David D. Rudolph
31st Mayor of Havre de Grace
In office 1985–1989
Member of the Havre de Grace City Council
In office 1979–1985
Personal details
Born	(1949-06-12) June 12, 1949 (age 75) Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Melinda Lee Blevins ​ (m. 1971)​
Children	3
Alma mater	Towson University (B.S.) Morgan State University
Signature

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 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 from 1985 to 1989 and 2001 to 2005.^[7] David was a teacher and assistant principal in the Harford County Public School System for thirty-four years.^[8]

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]}

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

Craig spent thirty-four 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]

Craig began his political career serving on the Havre de Grace City Council beginning in 1979 he was elected to 3 consecutive 2 year terms. He was elected Mayor of Havre de Grace from 1985 to 1989 and 2001 to 2005.^[7] He resigned upon swearing in as the Harford County Executive.

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.^[9][13]

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.^{[9][citation needed]}

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.

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]

• 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-In's	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

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

• David R. Craig, County Executive, Harford County, Maryland