Craig Eiland
Allen Craig Eiland (born April 4, 1962) is a Democratic former member and Speaker pro Tempore of the Texas House of Representatives. From 2003 until 2015, Eiland represented Texas House District 23, which includes Galveston, Jamaica Beach, Texas City, and the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County and all of Chambers County.[1][2]
Allen Craig Eiland | |
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Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 23rd district | |
In office 2003 – January 13, 2015 | |
Preceded by | Patricia Gray |
Succeeded by | Wayne Faircloth |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 24th district | |
In office 1994–2003 | |
Preceded by | Mike Martin |
Succeeded by | Larry Taylor |
Personal details | |
Born | Stanton, Martin County Texas, USA | April 4, 1962
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Melissa Orebaugh Eiland |
Children | Four children |
Residence | Galveston, Texas |
Alma mater | Baylor University (B.B.A.), (J.D.) |
Profession | Attorney |
Website | Official Website |
Prior to redistricting in 2003, Eiland was the member for House District 24, which roughly covered all of Galveston County west of Interstate 45.[3]
Eiland was first elected to the House in 1994. For eight years he served on the Insurance and Appropriations committees, including four years as Vice Chair of the Insurance Committee and two years as chair of the House Pensions and Investments Committee.
In 2009, Speaker Joe Straus named Eiland the House Speaker Pro-tempore, a job which entails leading the house in Speaker Straus' absence. Eiland was also named to the powerful House Appropriations committee and the Insurance committee.[4][5] In 2011 Beverly Woolley of Houston was chosen to replace Eiland after Republicans captured a super majority of seats (101 out of 150) in the 2010 elections.[2]
He is viewed by his colleagues as an expert on insurance matters and the state budget in general and the Medicaid and CHIP program budgets specifically. Texas Monthly magazine has also named Eiland one of Texas' 10 Best Lawmakers.[6][7]
In the November 4, 2014, general election, Eiland did not seek reelection. The Republican nominee, Wayne Faircloth, defeated the Democrat Susan Criss, 17,702 (54.6) to 14,716 (45.4 percent).[8] In the Republican primary on March 4, Faircloth had defeated Bob Senter, 6,112 votes (66.1 percent) to 3,134 votes (33.9 percent).[9]
Eiland served on the House Appropriations Committee and was the vice chairman of the Insurance Committee.[2]
A native of Stanton in Martin County, Eiland resides on Galveston Island. He and his wife, the former Melissa Orebaugh, have four children (William Gray Eiland, Delaney Eiland, Blake Eiland, and Robert Tucker Eiland). They are members of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church in Galveston.
References
- "Texas House of Representatives Member Biography". Texas Legislative Council. Archived from the original on 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- Aulds T.J. (2011-02-10). "Galveston: Eiland loses speaker pro tem spot to Republican". KHOU. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- "Houston Chronicle's Voter's Guide 2002: Texas House of Representatives". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- "Texas House of Representatives Standing Committee Appointments" (PDF). Texas House of Representatives. 2009-02-12. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- Aulds, T.J. (2009-02-13). "Eiland named to state House leadership role". Galveston County Daily News. Archived from the original on 2010-12-16. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- "Texas Monthly puts DeLay on worst-lawmakers list". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- Ratcliffe, R.G. (2009-06-01). "Isle lawmaker Eiland rises above idling Legislature". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
- "General election returns, November 4, 2014". Texas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
- "Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014". team1.sos.state.tx.us. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
External links
- Representative Craig Eiland official Texas House of Representatives site
- Profile at Vote Smart
Texas House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Patricia Gray |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 23 (Galveston) 2003–2015 |
Succeeded by Wayne Faircloth |
Preceded by Mike Martin |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 24 (Galveston) 1994–2002 |
Succeeded by Larry Taylor |