Tom Craddick

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tom Craddick (born September 19, 1943) is the current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Craddick is the first member of the Republican Party to hold the position of Speaker since Reconstruction.

1 Early life
2 Political career
- 2.1 Texas Speaker of the House
- 2.2 Redistricting
3 Private life

[edit] Early life

Craddick recieved a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Tech University. When he was a Ph.D. candidate at Texas Tech University, Craddick decided to seek office in the Texas House of Representatives as a Midland Republican. Given the environment at that time, even his father warned him against it. "Texas is run by Democrats," the Midland businessman, R.F. Craddick told him. "You can't win."^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Political career

Craddick was elected in 1968, when he was just 25 years of age. He was one of eight Republicans in the Texas House at that time. In 1975, Craddick became the first Republican to chair a committee in more than a century when he became the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.

[edit] Texas Speaker of the House

On January 11, 2003, after 34-years in the Texas House of Representatives, Craddick became the first Republican Speaker in more than 130 years.

His first session as speaker was marked by an unprecedented $10 billion budget deficit. Craddick helped the state overcome the budget shortfall while producing ethics, insurance, tort and transportation reforms.^{[citation needed]}

Craddick was overwhelmingly re-elected Speaker in 2005.

[edit] Redistricting

As Speaker, Craddick played a major role in the redistricting of Texas congressional districts in 2003. The changes worked to produce a gain of six Republican seats in the general elections of 2004 (21 of the 32 seats) from what the GOP had secured in the 2002 elections (15 of the 32 seats).

[edit] Private life

Craddick is a sales representative for Mustang Mud, an oilfield supply company, owns Craddick Properties, a Midland investment business and is president of Craddick, Inc.

In 1995, his alma mater honored him with a prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. He is also an Eagle Scout who has held numerous civic posts in his hometown of Midland.

Speaker Craddick is married the former Nadine Nayfa, a native of Sweetwater. They have two children, Christi and Thomas Russell, Jr. Thomas Jr. and his wife, the former Laura Parker, have a son, Thomas Craddick III.

Preceded by: Pete Laney	Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives 2003 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by: Nolan “Buzz” Robnett	Texas House of Representatives, District 82 1993 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by: Pete Laney	Texas House of Representatives, District 76 1983–1993	Succeeded by: Nancy McDonald
Preceded by: Ace Pickens	Texas House of Representatives, District 68 1973–1983	Succeeded by: Dudley Harrison
Preceded by: Frank Cahoon	Texas House of Representatives, District 70 1969–1973	Succeeded by: Hilary B. Doran, Jr.