David R. Craig

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. 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 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. Craig was a teacher and assistant principal in the Harford County Public School System for 34 years.

Early life and education

Craig was born in 1949 in Havre de Grace, Maryland, to Joseph E. Craig (1917–2011). 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.

Personal life Craig married his high school sweetheart, Melinda Lee Blevins, in 1971. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

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.

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. He was defeated by Larry Hogan in the Republican gubernatorial primary on June 24, 2014.

Election results 2006 race for Harford County Executive - Harford County 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 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 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 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.