CANDIDATE PROFILE: Randy Craig

was raised in Havre de Grace, graduated from Havre de Grace High School, and is the son of one of the city's most noteworthy politicians.

So its no wonder, after spending years away while in college and the Navy, and temporarily calling Baltimore City his residence, Craig always saw Havre de Grace as home. That's why he chose to move back to Havre de Grace when he and his wife, Jessica, began a family.

“At some point, you make a choice to live here. I could choose to live lots of places. But we choose to live here and raise our family here, because of the community spirit that’s here in Havre de Grace. That’s what’s most important to me,” Craig said. “Whatever we do maintains that, enhances that, and builds on that, it doesn’t detract from that. That’s where my heart is with serving on our City Council.”

Jessica has opened her law practice on Union Avenue. They have three children in Havre de Grace-area schools.

Craig—whose father is County Executive David Craig—bought a home on Ontario Street when he first saw it, agreeing to the deal without his wife knowing. They’ve made the former apartment house into a beautiful home for their young family.

“What I loved the most are the people that live here. The people choose to live here. It’s the people that are here that make it a great place to live,” Craig said. “It’s not the waterfront. It’s not our quaint shops or our downtown, or our schools that we all love, and the teachers and staff that make it a good place to be for our children. Or our rec teams. That’s all run by people. And it’s the people that are here. There’s a community spirit here that’s really fun to be a part of. You get a sense of place, of where you’re from, and who you are, more so than if you lived in a development. To me, that’s the best thing about Havre de Grace.”

Craig ran for state delegate in the fall, finishing third among four Republican candidates in the primary. Craig garnered 24.9 percent of the ballot, as opposed to Patrick McGrady’s 34.13 and Glen Glass’s 32.51. After the November General Election, Glass joined incumbent Mary-Dulany James as delegates in District 34A.

Craig continued on in his role with City Council, and remains one of the most vocal officials on the dais.

While on City Council, Craig has become known for his ability to crunch numbers and analyze facts. His fellow council members praise him for his ability to take an opposing viewpoint, but remain professional in the process.

He was the leading vote-getter among four candidates for City Council in 2009, garnering 31 percent of the votes. He garnered more votes in winning the previous election, taking 38.38 percent of the vote and finishing third to claim his first seat on council. In his first term, he joined council as Joe Kochenderfer and Barbara Ferguson were elected, as well. Neither remains on the dais.

There have been changes surrounding him since, while Craig has remained a constant.

“There have been a lot of changes. A lot of them very good changes over the last few years,” Craig said. “There are still a lot of challenges that the city has. I don’t want to downplay that. It takes everybody to get it done.”