Craddick is the longest-serving legislator in Texas House history, first elected in 1968, and served as House Speaker from 2003 to 2009 — the first Republican Speaker since Reconstruction.
He represents Midland and has been reelected to District 82 every cycle since 1969, most recently defeating Steven Schafersman in the 2024 general election.
Craddick’s take on Texas values
In 2025 Craddick voted for the bill that created Texas's first private-school voucher program (only two House Republicans voted no, and he was not one of them). [campaign website; Texas Tribune]