Tom Craddick
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tom Craddick | |
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Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 82nd district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1968 |
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| Born | September 19, 1943 Beloit, Wisconsin |
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| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Nadine |
| Residence | Midland, Texas |
| Alma mater | Texas Tech University |
| Occupation | businessman |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Thomas Russell “Tom” Craddick (born September 19, 1943) is the first Republican to serve as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction. He has represented Midland in the Texas House since 1969.
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[edit] Early career
While he was a doctoral student at Texas Tech, Craddick decided to run for the legislature as a Republican from a Midland-based district. Given the political environment at that time, even his father, businessman R.F. Craddick (1913-1986), warned him: "Texas is run by Democrats. You can't win."[citation needed] The former Eagle Scout was elected to the Texas House in 1968 at the age of twenty-five; he was just one of eight Republicans in the chamber at that time. His election came on the same day that Richard M. Nixon won the presidency.
In 1975, Craddick was named chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, the first Republican to have chaired a Texas legislative committee in more than a century.
[edit] Speaker of the House
On January 11, 2003, after thirty-four years in the House, Craddick became the first Republican Speaker in more than 130 years.
In December 2006, Craddick faced a credible challenge to his re-election as Speaker for the Eightieth Texas Legislature. Brian McCall (R-Plano) and Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), as well as Democrat Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) all of whom announced candidacies for the speakership. In early January, McCall withdrew and endorsed Pitts.[1] Supporters of Pitts pressed for a secret ballot in order to avoid retribution should their efforts fail,[1] while Craddick had maintained all along that he had more than the minimum number of votes needed for re-election.[2] When the secret ballot measure failed, Pitts withdrew and Craddick was re-elected to a third term as Speaker on January 9, 2007, by a vote of 121-27.[2][3]
[edit] Speaker of the House controversy
Craddick became increasingly unpopular with not only Democrats but those of his own party, and many called for a new Speaker to be elected.[4]
Chaos erupted in the Texas House of Representatives on Friday, May 25, 2007, when Representative Fred Hill, a Republican from Richardson, attempted to make a motion to vacate Craddick's office, but Craddick refused to allow him to make the motion.[5] The attempts to oust Craddick continued through the weekend as other Republicans made additional motions, which were also disallowed.
The last Texas House speaker to be thrown out of office by the members was Ira Evans in 1871. The Republican House majority threw Evans out for cooperating too much with Democrats on an elections bill.[5]
Craddick's close allies, such as Representative Phil King of Weatherford, say that the actions against the Speaker are an effort by Democrats to gain control of the legislature before the legislative and congressional redistricting process of 2011.[5]However, Representative Byron Cook, a Republican from Corsicana east of Waco, says that the fight is about Craddick having consolidated power with lobbyists and using campaign contributions to maintain control in the House: "This is about the convergence of money and power and influence," Cook said.[5]
Specifically, Craddick recessed the Legislature for 2.5 hours after Representatives attempted to make motions for his removal. When Representative Hill asked to vote to remove Mr. Craddick, the Speaker replied: "The speaker's power of recognition on any matter can not be appealed."[6]
His parliamentarian, Denise Davis disagreed, stating that a motion to vacate the chair is a highly privileged one that even the leader may not refuse. When Craddick shunned her advice, Davis and her assistant, Chris Griesel, resigned. Craddick immediately hired former Representative Terry Keel of Austin to the post as well as former Representative (and present-day lobbyist) Ron Wilson as Keel's assistant.
After calling the recess, Democratic Representative Garnet Coleman of Houston called the speaker "Chicken Craddick."[7]
The session resumed until 1:00 a.m. and despite further protestations from members of the legislature, Craddick remained in his position as Speaker. The session was recessed.[4]
[edit] Personal life
Craddick is married to the former Nadine Nayfa, a native of Sweetwater in west Texas. She is of Lebanese descent. His children are Thomas, Jr., and Christi. Thomas, Jr., and his wife, the former Laura Parker, have a son, Thomas Russell, III. Craddick holds undergraduate and graduate business degrees from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He lists his occupation as sales representative for Mustang Mud, an oilfield supply company, although he also is a real estate speculator and developer.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Sandberg, Lisa; Peggy Fikac. "Speaker's job may hang on vote rules: Some say Craddick would lose if balloting is done in secret", Houston Chronicle, 2007-01-06, p. B1. Retrieved on 2007-01-11. "Many political watchers say a secret ballot would give House members cover to orchestrate a coup against the incumbent Craddick, and not suffer political fallout (bad committee assignments) if they fail."
- ^ a b Sandberg, Lisa; Peggy Fikac. "Craddick re-elected speaker after Pitts bows out", Houston Chronicle, 2007-01-10. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.
- ^ There was one vacancy in the 150-member chamber, and Craddick abstained.
- ^ a b "Monkey and other business", The Economist, 2007-05-31. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
- ^ a b c d R.G. Ratcliffe and Gary Scharrer. [? The House struggles to move forward]. Houston Chronicle, chron.com (May 27, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
- ^ Craddick causes frenzy in House
- ^ Craddick causes frenzy in House
[edit] External links
- Official biography at the Texas House of Representatives website.
| Preceded by Frank Cahoon |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 70 (Midland) 1969–1973 |
Succeeded by Hilary B. Doran, Jr. |
| Preceded by Ace Pickens |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 68 (Midland) 1973–1983 |
Succeeded by Dudley Harrison |
| Preceded by Pete Laney |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 76 (Midland) 1983–1993 |
Succeeded by Nancy McDonald |
| Preceded by Nolan Robnett |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 82 (Midland) 1993 – present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Pete Laney |
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives 2003 – present |
Incumbent |
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