Dave Craig (Wisconsin)
Dave Craig (Republican Party) was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing District 28. He assumed office in 2017. He left office on January 4, 2021.
Craig (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate to represent District 28. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 11, 2020.
Craig is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing District 83 from 2011 to 2017. He was first elected to the chamber in 2011 in the May 3 special election. He filled the vacancy created when Scott Gunderson (R) resigned to serve as the executive assistant at the Department of Natural Resources.[1]
Biography
Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Craig is a fifth-generation Wisconsinite.[2][3] While growing up, Craig worked at his family's small business and was inspired by President Reagan to join the conservative movement. As such, while attending college, Craig interned with then U.S. Representative for New Mexico Heather Wilson.[4] Following graduation from UW-Milwaukee in 2002, Craig was hired as an aide to Congressman Paul Ryan.[2] He worked for Ryan for nine years while also holding a job in the private sector.[4]
From 2008 to 2010, Craig served on the Village of Big Bend Board of Trustees. He is also a licensed real estate agent.[2]
In May 2011, Dave was elected to represent the 83rd Assembly District in a special election. He was re-elected in 2012.[2]
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Craig was assigned to the following committees:
- Review of Administrative Rules Committee
- Public Benefits, Licensing, and State-Federal Relations Committee, Vice-Chair
- Administrative Rules Committee
- Government Operations, Technology, and Consumer Protection Committee
- Insurance, Financial Services, Government Oversight and Courts Committee, Chair
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Financial Services, Constitution, and Federalism, Chair |
| • Government Operations, Technology, and Consumer Protection, Vice chair |
| • Insurance, Housing, and Trade |
| • Public Benefits, Licensing, and State-Federal Relations |
| • Joint Survey on Retirement Systems |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Craig served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • State Affairs and Government Operations, Vice-Chair |
| • Insurance |
| • Financial Institutions, Chair |
| • Family Law |
| • Campaigns and Elections |
| • Public Benefit Reform |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Craig served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Campaigns and Elections |
| • Family Law |
| • Financial Institutions, Chair |
| • Government Operations and State Licensing, Vice chair |
| • Insurance |
| • Judiciary |
2011-2012
During the 2011-2012 legislative session, Craig served on these committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Judiciary and Ethics |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Insurance |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2020
Dave Craig did not file to run for re-election.
2016
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Wisconsin State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016. Incumbent Mary Lazich (R) did not seek re-election.
Dave Craig ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Senate District 28 general election.[5][6]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 28 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Dave Craig (unopposed) |
100.00% | 70,269 | |
| Total Votes | 70,269 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission | ||||
Dave Craig ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Senate District 28 Republican primary.[7][8]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 28 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Dave Craig (unopposed) | |
2014
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2014
Elections for all 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 12, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 2, 2014. Jim Brownlow was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Dave Craig was unopposed in the Republican primary. Brownlow and Craig faced off in the general election.[9][10] Incumbent Craig defeated Brownlow, and was re-elected for another term.[11]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dave Craig Incumbent |
73.1% | 21,382 | |
| Democratic | Jim Brownlow | 26.9% | 7,877 | |
| Total Votes | 29,259 | |||
2012
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2012
Craig won re-election in the 2012 election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 83. Craig ran unopposed in the Republican primary on August 14 and defeated James Brownlow (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dave Craig Incumbent |
69.7% | 23,034 | |
| Democratic | James Brownlow | 30.2% | 9,967 | |
| - | Scattering | 0.1% | 23 | |
| Total Votes | 33,024 | |||
2011
Craig defeated James Brownlow (D) in the special election on May 3, 2011.[13][14][15]
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Dave Craig did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2011
Craig's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[16]
- Governing Philosophy: "I believe that that government is best which governs least. I believe that taxing of one’s income and regulation of one’s actions are inherently restrictive to liberty."
- State Budget Reform: "I believe our state government is too big. Every household in Wisconsin has had to adjust it’s budget during these hard economic times. Our state government should be no different. I oppose raising taxes, fees or raiding segregated funds to fill our budget deficit. We need to implement massive spending cuts immediately and put our government on a spending diet that respects our individual liberties and our businesses. I PLEDGE TO OPPOSE ANY BUDGET THAT RAISES TAXES."
- Life: "I believe that life begins at conception. I oppose efforts to legalize assisted suicide. While the state should intervene as little as possible in peoples’ lives, I believe the state has an inherent role in promoting a civil society that respects life at all stages."
- Marriage: "I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman. I am opposed to any legislation allowing for same sex marriages or civil unions."
- Taxes: "Our state tax code is beginning to rival the federal tax code in complexity. I believe we need to overhaul our current tax code and replace it with a simplified system. I would look at all possible reforms, including REPLACING our current progressive tax code with a consumption tax or flat tax."
- Healthcare Reform: "I support state action challenging the Constitutionality of the new federal health care mandate."
- Education: "We must reduce the tax and regulatory burden on families, allowing for more opportunity for involvement in the education of their children. I support parental choice in education, including the use of vouchers."
- Energy: "I support lifting the moratorium limiting nuclear energy production. I oppose all efforts to institute a statewide cap and trade system, or any other taxing system that penalizes carbon dioxide production."
- Tort Reform: "Our system has been abused time and time again in awarding massive non-economic damage awards to plaintiffs. This practice stifles business, bogs down the courts and tramples individual liberties. For these reasons, I support legislation capping non-economic damages."
- 2nd Amendment: "I believe this vision includes the right to carry arms, be it openly or concealed. I further believe that the legislature should approve “Castle Doctrine” legislation."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Craig and his wife, Amy, have five children.[4] Craig is a native of southeastern Wisconsin.[2]
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Wisconsin scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 14 to May 13.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor policy.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on conservation issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against MMAC's position.
- Legislators are scored on their votes by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association on legislation related to Wisconsin's law enforcement community.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2019, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 7, 2019 through January 13, 2020.
|
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2018, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 16 through March 27. Special sessions were held from January 1 through February 27 and from March 15 through March 29.
|
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2017, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 3 through December 31. There were also special sessions. The first special session was January 5. The second special session was August 1 through September 15.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 15.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 5 through December 31.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2014, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 14 through June 4.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 7 to December 31.
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 16.
|
See also
2020 Elections
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Official campaign website
- Profile from Open States
- Dave Craig on Facebook
- Campaign Facebook page
- Dave Craig on Twitter
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ WKBT, "3 Wis. lawmakers bid adieu to take jobs with gov," January 3, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Wisconsin State Legislature, "Representative David Craig," accessed November 22, 2013
- ↑ Vote Dave Craig, "About," accessed November 22, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wisconsin State Assembly, "State Representative Davide Craig," accessed November 22, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates on Ballot by Election - 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2016 Fall General Election Results," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidate Tracking by Office," accessed June 20, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections and Ethics Commissions, "2016 Partisan Primary," accessed September 16, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability, "Candidates Registered by Office," June 11, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "2014 Partisan Primary Candidates," accessed June 19, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Canvass Results for 2014 General Election," December 1, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates on Ballot by Election - 2012 Partisan Primary 8/14/2012," accessed June 12, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Governor Orders Special Elections for Three Assembly Seats," February 23, 2011
- ↑ The Journal Times, "Two candidates running for Rep. Gunderson’s seat - May 3 election," March 29, 2011
- ↑ Daily Journal, "Republican Craig defeats Brownlow for Assembly seat in southeast Wisconsin district," May 03, 2011
- ↑ Vote Dave Craig, "Issues," accessed October 27, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mary Lazich (R) |
Wisconsin State Senate, District 28 2017-2021 |
Succeeded by Julian Bradley (R) |
| Preceded by Scott Gunderson |
Wisconsin State Assembly District 83 2011–2017 |
Succeeded by Chuck Wichgers (R) |
