Hearcel Craig

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Hearcel F. Craig

| image = Picture of Hearcel Craig campaigning.jpg

| state_senate = Ohio

| district = 15th

| term_start = January 6, 2019

| predecessor = Charleta Tavares

| successor =

| state_house2 = Ohio

| district2 = 26th

| term_start2 = January 6, 2015

| term_end2 = December 31, 2018

| predecessor2 = Tracy Maxwell Heard

| successor2 = Erica Crawley

| office3 = Columbus City Councilmember

| term_start3 = April 16, 2007

| term_end3 = December 31, 2014

| predecessor3 = Patsy Thomas

| successor3 = Jaiza Page

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|07|01}}

| birth_place = U.S.

| party = Democratic

| spouse = Linda Craig

| children = 4

| alma_mater = Central Michigan University (MS)

| residence = Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

| website = https://craig4ohio.com/

|allegiance = {{flag|United States}}

|branch = {{army|United States}}

|serviceyears = 1970 - 1972

|unit = United States Army

|rank =

|battles =

}}

Hearcel F. Craig (born July 1, 1949) is an American politician serving as the Senator for the 15th District of the Ohio State Senate. Craig formerly served in the United States Army and then had a career with the Ohio Department of Youth Services. He then went on to help develop City Year in Columbus. He has a degree from Central Michigan University.{{cite news |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/blogs/the-city/2014/03/hearcel-craig-politics.html |title=Hearcel Craig's run could lead to city council changes |work=Columbus Dispatch |location=Columbus |date=2014-03-12 |accessdate=2014-12-10 }} In 2007, Craig was appointed to serve on Columbus City Council. While on Council, Craig rose to serve as President Pro Tempore.{{Cite web|title=Mayor Coleman delivers tenth State of the City speech|url=https://www.wcbe.org/post/mayor-coleman-delivers-tenth-state-city-speech|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.wcbe.org|date=27 February 2009 |language=en}}

In 2014, Craig decided to run for the Ohio House of Representatives to replace Tracy Maxwell Heard, who was term limited.{{cite news |url=http://hobnobcolumbus.com/news-crime/council-announces-process-timeline-to-fill-craig-vacancy/ |title=Council announces process, timeline to fill Craig vacancy |work=HobNob Columbus |location=Columbus |date=2014-11-11 |accessdate=2014-12-10 }} He won the primary over Heard's husband, Howard Heard. He went on to defeat Republican Dustin Pyles 76%-24%. He was elected to a 2nd term in the Ohio House of Representatives in 2016. In 2018, Craig decided to seek the nomination for Ohio's 15th State Senate District. The incumbent, Charleta Tavares, was term limited and unable to seek re-election. Craig won both the primary and general elections, and took office on January 6, 2019.

Ohio State Senate

In 2018, instead of seeking re-election, Craig decided to seek the nomination for Ohio's 15th State Senate District.{{Cite web|last=Siegel|first=Jim|title=Craig to run for Senate seat, setting up likely primary|url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20170803/craig-to-run-for-senate-seat-setting-up-likely-primary|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Columbus Dispatch|language=en}} The incumbent Senator, Charleta Tavares, was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Craig won both primary and general elections, and took office on January 6, 2019.

In 2021, Craig was elected as Assistant Minority Whip for the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus.

= Committee assignments =

Source:{{Cite web|title=Senator Hearcel F. Craig - Bio {{!}} The Ohio Senate|url=https://ohiosenate.gov/senators/craig/bio|access-date=2021-01-09|website=ohiosenate.gov}}

Committee on Government Oversight & Reform (Ranking Member)
Insurance (Ranking Member)
Energy & Public Utilities
Finance
Financial Institutions & Technology

Electoral history

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
colspan=12 \| Election results
Year !Office !Election !Votes for Craig !% !Opponent !Party !Votes !%
2007 \| rowspan="2" \|Columbus City Council \|General \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|49,753 (4th)* \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|14.61 \| \| \| \|
2011 \|General \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|74,156 (4th)* \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|14.37 \| \| \| \|
rowspan="2" \|2014 \| rowspan="3" \|Ohio House of Representatives \|Primary \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|4,430 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|60.44 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Howard Heard \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Democratic \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|2,899 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|39.56
General \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|19,505 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|75.79 \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|Dustin Pyles \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|6,230 \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|24.21
2016 \|General \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|40,268 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|79.61 \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|Kenneth H. Collins \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|10,314 \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|20.39
rowspan="2" \|2018 \| rowspan="2" \|Ohio State Senate \|Primary \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|20,440 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|69.77 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Jodi Howell \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|Democratic \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|8,857 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|30.23
General \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|107,505 \|{{Party shading/Democratic}}\|82.52 \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|Jordan Garcea \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|Republican \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|22,778 \|{{Party shading/Republican}}\|17.48

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

colspan=12 | Election results

Year

!Office

!Election

!Votes for Craig

!Opponent

!Party

!Votes

2007

| rowspan="2" |Columbus City Council

|General