Edward Craig
Encyclopedia
Edward "Ted" Craig was a Republican
politician from Orange County, California
who served in the California State Assembly
from 1929 to 1937. Craig served as Speaker of the Assembly from 1935 through 1936.
. With only an 8th grade education, Craig's original career was as an oil tool machinist. His lack of a higher education did not stop later success in life. In 1928, Craig was elected to the Brea City Council to fill the seat held by his father, who had just retired. That same year, he won a seat in the State Assembly.
Craig was elected Speaker of the Assembly in 1935. As Speaker, he was instrumental in switching from the archaic and time-consuming "oral roll call" voting process in the Assembly, to a new push-button electric voting system in 1935. Craig also served as Mayor of Brea while he was Speaker of the Assembly, as the Assembly was a part-time institution in the 1930s. The low legislative salary caused Craig to decide to not run for reelection to his Assembly seat in 1936. That year, during the Great Depression
, Democrats
would gain a brief Assembly majority for the first time in over 40 years.
Craig became a lobbyist for Pacific Lighting Corporation late in 1936, a position he held for 28 years. As a lobbyist, Craig was credited in 1953 for convincing Congress to exempt the El Paso Natural Gas Pipeline from requirements of being a common carrier
. In 1964, Craig retired from Pacific Lighting and became the lobbyist for Orange County, California
. He was credited for passing a legislative amendment to allow Orange County to use revenue bonds to finance public buildings. As a fixture at the State Capitol for 50 years, Ted Craig was still referred to by legislators and staff as "Mr. Speaker" as he lobbied the legislautre in the late 1970s.
He died at age 82 in August 1979, survived by his son, Thomas Craig of Wichita, Kansas
. Edward Craig is buried at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton, California
. In 1980, the California legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 45 to honor the life and legacy of former Assembly Speaker Edward Craig.
Ted Craig's legacy also exists as Ted Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, California
and an alley known as Craig Circle.
Ted Craig was also instrumental in helping Richard Nixon (37th President of the United States of America) becoming more involved in politics.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician from Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
who served in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
from 1929 to 1937. Craig served as Speaker of the Assembly from 1935 through 1936.
Biography
Edward Craig was raised in Olinda, California until 1912, when his family moved to BreaBrea, California
Brea is a city in Orange County, California. The population, as of the 2010 Census was 39,282.The city began as a center of crude oil production, was later propelled by citrus production, and is now an important retail center because of the large Brea Mall and the recently redeveloped Brea Downtown...
. With only an 8th grade education, Craig's original career was as an oil tool machinist. His lack of a higher education did not stop later success in life. In 1928, Craig was elected to the Brea City Council to fill the seat held by his father, who had just retired. That same year, he won a seat in the State Assembly.
Craig was elected Speaker of the Assembly in 1935. As Speaker, he was instrumental in switching from the archaic and time-consuming "oral roll call" voting process in the Assembly, to a new push-button electric voting system in 1935. Craig also served as Mayor of Brea while he was Speaker of the Assembly, as the Assembly was a part-time institution in the 1930s. The low legislative salary caused Craig to decide to not run for reelection to his Assembly seat in 1936. That year, during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
would gain a brief Assembly majority for the first time in over 40 years.
Craig became a lobbyist for Pacific Lighting Corporation late in 1936, a position he held for 28 years. As a lobbyist, Craig was credited in 1953 for convincing Congress to exempt the El Paso Natural Gas Pipeline from requirements of being a common carrier
Common carrier
A common carrier in common-law countries is a person or company that transports goods or people for any person or company and that is responsible for any possible loss of the goods during transport...
. In 1964, Craig retired from Pacific Lighting and became the lobbyist for Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
. He was credited for passing a legislative amendment to allow Orange County to use revenue bonds to finance public buildings. As a fixture at the State Capitol for 50 years, Ted Craig was still referred to by legislators and staff as "Mr. Speaker" as he lobbied the legislautre in the late 1970s.
He died at age 82 in August 1979, survived by his son, Thomas Craig of Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
. Edward Craig is buried at Loma Vista Cemetery in Fullerton, California
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
. In 1980, the California legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 45 to honor the life and legacy of former Assembly Speaker Edward Craig.
Ted Craig's legacy also exists as Ted Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, California
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
and an alley known as Craig Circle.
Ted Craig was also instrumental in helping Richard Nixon (37th President of the United States of America) becoming more involved in politics.
External links
- http://www.assembly.ca.gov California Assembly web page
- http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/uchistory/general_history/overview/regents/biographies_c.html UC Regents historical biographies