Craig Eiland

Craig Eiland
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office 2003
Preceded by	Patricia Gray
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 (1962-04-04) (age 49) Stanton, Texas
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Melissa
Residence	Galveston, Texas
Alma mater	Baylor University (B.B.A.), (J.D.)
Occupation	Attorney
Profession	Attorney
Religion	Methodist
Website	Official Website

Allen Craig Eiland (born April 4, 1962) is a Democratic member and former Speaker pro Tempore of the Texas House of Representatives. Eiland represents 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 represented 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 Speaker Pro-tempore of the House of Representatives, 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]

Eiland currently serves on the House Appropriations committee, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Insurance committee.^[2]

He lives on Galveston Island and is married to the former Melissa Orebaugh. They have four children and 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. http://web.archive.org/web/20080822022743/http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist23/bio/eiland.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-15. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Aulds T.J. (2011-02-10). "Galveston: Eiland loses speaker pro tem spot to Republican". KHOU. http://www.khou.com/news/neighborhood-news/Eiland-loses-speaker-pro-tem-spot-to-Republican--115715259.html. Retrieved 2011-02-12. 
3. ^ "Houston Chronicle's Voter's Guide 2002: Texas House of Representatives". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2002_3524061. Retrieved 2009-01-15. 
4. ^ "Texas House of Representatives Standing Committee Appointments". Texas House of Representatives. 2009-02-12. http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/assignments/81/committee.pdf. Retrieved 2009-02-12. ^{[dead link]}
5. ^ Aulds, T.J. (2009-02-13). "Eiland named to state House leadership role". Galveston County Daily News. http://galvestondailynews.com/story/133068/. Retrieved 2011-02-12. 
6. ^ "Texas Monthly puts DeLay on worst-lawmakers list". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2003_3664995. Retrieved 2009-01-15. 
7. ^ Ratcliffe, R.G. (2009-06-01). "Isle lawmaker Eiland rises above idling Legislature". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ike/galveston/6453331.html. Retrieved 2011-02-12. 

External links

• Representative Craig Eiland official Texas House of Representatives site
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Campaign contributions at the National Institute for Money in State Politics

Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Patricia Gray	Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 23 (Galveston) 2003 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by Mike Martin	Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 24 (Galveston) 1994-2002	Succeeded by Larry Taylor

Persondata
Name	Eiland, Craig
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth	1962-04-04
Place of birth	Stanton, Texas
Date of death
Place of death