David R. Craig

American politician

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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 74)
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]

## Early life and education[edit]

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[edit]

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

## Teaching career[edit]

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]

## Political career[edit]

### Local government[edit]

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.

### Maryland House of Delegates[edit]

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]

### Maryland State Senate[edit]

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]

### Harford County Executive[edit]

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[edit]

Main article: 2014 Maryland gubernatorial election § Republican primary

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[edit]

* 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

## Legacy[edit]

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

## References[edit]

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. "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. 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

## External links[edit]

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

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