Craig Eiland

Who is Craig Eiland?

Allen Craig Eiland 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. Prior to redistricting in 2003, Eiland represented House District 24, which roughly covered all of Galveston County west of Interstate 45.

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. In 2011 Beverly Woolley of Houston was chosen to replace Eiland after Republicans captured a super majority of seats in the 2010 elections.

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.