Craig Eiland

Allen Craig Eiland
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	April 4, 1962 Stanton, Martin County Texas, USA
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
Religion	United Methodist Church
Website	Official Website

Allen Craig Eiland (born April 4, 1962) is a Democratic departing member and former 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. 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 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
2. 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.
3. "Houston Chronicle's Voter's Guide 2002: Texas House of Representatives". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
4. "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.
5. Aulds, T.J. (2009-02-13). "Eiland named to state House leadership role". Galveston County Daily News. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
6. "Texas Monthly puts DeLay on worst-lawmakers list". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
7. Ratcliffe, R.G. (2009-06-01). "Isle lawmaker Eiland rises above idling Legislature". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
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. Retrieved March 8, 2014.

External links

• Representative Craig Eiland official Texas House of Representatives site
• Profile at Project Vote Smart