Craig Washington

Craig Anthony Washington
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 18th district
In office December 9, 1989 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Mickey Leland
Succeeded by	Sheila Jackson Lee
Member of the Texas Senate from the 13th district
In office 1983–1989
Preceded by	Walter Mengden
Succeeded by	Rodney Ellis
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 86th district
In office 1973–1983
Preceded by	Charles Finnell
Succeeded by	Larry Q. Evans
Personal details
Born	October 12, 1941 Longview, Gregg County, Texas
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Karen Joyce Heller
Children	3 sons, 2 daughters
Residence	Houston, Texas
Alma mater	Prairie View A&M Uni. Texas Southern Uni. Law School
Occupation	Attorney

Craig Anthony Washington (born October 12, 1941) is an American lawyer and Democratic Party politician from Texas who served in the Texas State Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

The son of Roy and Azalia Washington, Washington graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1966 and was originally interested in becoming a doctor, but as admissions to medical school had already ceased, Washington decided to instead apply at Texas Southern University's law school.

In 1972, the state of Texas began electing members of the state House of Representatives and State Senate, for the first time, by single-member districts. Washington, along with four other minority candidates, Anthony Hall, George T. "Mickey" Leland, Benny Reyes and Cecil Bush, (dubbed the "People's Five"), ran for seats in the Texas House of Representatives. Washington was elected, and represented District 86 in the state House from 1973 to 1982. He then represented District 13 in the state senate from 1983 until 1989.

Washington was elected as a Democrat to the 101st United States Congress for Texas's 18th congressional district, by special election, December 9, 1989, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mickey Leland. He was reelected to the 102nd United States Congress and 103rd United States Congress and served from December 9, 1989, to January 3, 1995. He took stands against some projects, like the International Space Station, where spending would have flowed to his district.^[1]

In March, 1994, Washington was routed in the Democratic primary by Houston City Councilwoman Sheila Jackson Lee, winning only 36.5 percent of the vote. Lee won in November and still holds the seat today.

Since leaving Congress, Washington has practiced law in Houston and Bastrop, Texas.

On New Year's Day 2008, Washington shot at a car containing two teenagers.^[2] After being indicted by a grand jury in 2009, he agreed to two years of probation.^[2] However, Washington's attorney subsequently claimed that Washington fired because his life was in danger.^[2] Washington has since countersued the teenagers, alleging assault and property damage.^[3]

The Internal Revenue Service has also sued Washington, alleging that he owes $610,000 in unpaid taxes.^[4]

On January 8, 2015, Washington received a suspension of his Texas attorney's license. The 335th District Court of Bastrop County, Texas found that Washington had violated various rules, including the rules prohibiting neglecting a legal matter entrusted to him and failing to keep a client reasonably informed. On March 12, 2015, a "modified judgment was entered imposing a four-year partially probated suspension with 12 months active." He was also ordered to pay over $24,600 in legal fees and expenses. Washington filed an appeal.^[5]

References

1. Tim Fleck (20 February 1997). "What's Driving Miss Shelia?". Houston Press.
2. Brian Rogers (July 20, 2009). "Washington avoids trial in shooting case". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
3. Chris Vogel (February 26, 2010). "Former Congressman Craig Washington Sues The Two Teenagers He Shot At". Houston Press. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
4. William P. Barrett (December 18, 2009). "IRS Sues Ex-Texas Congressman". Forbes. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
5. Texas Bar Journal, vol. 78, no. 6, p. 495, State Bar of Texas (June 2015).

External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress