David R. Craig


David R. Craig is a Republican Party politician from the State of Maryland who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Governor of Maryland in 2014. He was appointed, and sworn in as Harford County Executive 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.

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. He married his high-school sweetheart; Melinda Lee Blevins, in 1971. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
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. He was a member of the following committees: Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1991–92; Ways and Means Committee, 1992-93 ; Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1994. Vice-Chair, Harford County Delegation, 1993.

Maryland State Senate

Craig was then elected to the Maryland Senate in 1994 and served until 1999, representing District 34. 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 ; 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 in 2005, and in 2010 he was elected by his peers as President of the . 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.
He was defeated by Larry Hogan in the Republican gubernatorial primary on June 24, 2014.

Election results