Craig Eiland

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Allen Craig Eiland
CraigEiland.jpg
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the district
In office
2003 – January 13, 2015
Preceded by
Succeeded byWayne Faircloth
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the district
In office
1994–2003
Preceded by
Succeeded byLarry Taylor
Personal details
Born (1962-04-04) April 4, 1962 (age 59)
Stanton, Martin County
Texas, USA
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Melissa Orebaugh Eiland
ChildrenFour children
ResidenceGalveston, Texas
Alma materBaylor University (B.B.A.), (J.D.)
ProfessionAttorney
WebsiteOfficial Website

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]

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[]

  1. ^ "Texas House of Representatives Member Biography". Texas Legislative Council. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Aulds T.J. (February 10, 2011). "Galveston: Eiland loses speaker pro tem spot to Republican". KHOU. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  3. ^ "Houston Chronicle's Voter's Guide 2002: Texas House of Representatives". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  4. ^ "Texas House of Representatives Standing Committee Appointments" (PDF). Texas House of Representatives. February 12, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  5. ^ Aulds, T.J. (February 13, 2009). "Eiland named to state House leadership role". Galveston County Daily News. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  6. ^ "Texas Monthly puts DeLay on worst-lawmakers list". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  7. ^ Ratcliffe, R.G. (June 1, 2009). "Isle lawmaker Eiland rises above idling Legislature". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  8. ^ "General election returns, November 4, 2014". Texas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "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[]

Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
 Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from  (Galveston)
2003–2015 		Succeeded by
Wayne Faircloth
Preceded by
 Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from  (Galveston)
1994–2002 		Succeeded by
Larry Taylor


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