Tom Craddick

Tom Craddick
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
In office
January 14, 2003 – January 13, 2009
Preceded byPete Laney
Succeeded byJoe Straus
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 14, 1969
Preceded byFrank Kell Cahoon
Constituency70th district (1969–1973)
68th district (1973–1983)
76th district (1983–1993)
82nd district (1993–present)
Personal details
BornThomas Russell Craddick[1]
(1943-09-19) September 19, 1943
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Nadine Nayfa
​
(m. 1969)​
Children2, including Christi Craddick
EducationTexas Tech University (BBA, MBA)
OccupationBusinessman
WebsiteOffice website
Campaign website

Thomas Russell Craddick Sr.[1] (born September 19, 1943) is an American politician serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives since 1969. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009.

Craddick was first elected in 1968 at the age of twenty-five and, as of 2025, is the longest serving legislator in the history of the Texas House of Representatives and the longest serving incumbent state legislator in the United States.[2][3][4]

On July 1, 2025, Craddick announced he would be running in 2026 for his 30th term.[3]

Early life and career

Craddick was born in Beloit, Wisconsin[5] to Russell F. Craddick (1913-1986) and Beatrice (née Kowalick) Craddick (1914-2001).[6] He lived in Beloit until he was nine years old.[7] He became an Eagle Scout.[5] He had 3 sisters, Betty, Judy, and Bonnie.[6] Craddick holds BBA and MBA degrees from the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech.[8]

Texas House of Representatives

While he was a doctoral student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Craddick decided to run for the legislature to succeed the incumbent Republican Frank Kell Cahoon of Midland, who was not seeking a third two-year term.[9] According to Craddick's official biography, even his father, businessman R.F. Craddick (1913–1986), warned him: "Texas is run by Democrats. You can't win."[9] Although this part of Texas had been trending Republican at the national level for some time (for instance, Midland itself has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1948), Democrats continued to hold most local offices well into the 1980s.

He was one of nine Republicans in the chamber at the time of his election, which coincided with Richard Nixon's first presidential win.[4] He lived in a house with 7 democrats when he was elected.[4] As he was trying to park at the Texas State Capitol, Craddick and his parents had to convince a police officer that Craddick was actually going to be a member of the Texas House and therefore could park in the House member's parking lot.[4]

In 1975, Craddick was named chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, the first Republican to have chaired a Texas legislative committee in more than a century.[10][11] At that time in Texas, a legislator did not need to be in the majority party in order to chair a committee.

In 1989, Craddick authored a measure to urge the US Congress to open oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[5]

In 2009, he was assigned to the Energy Resources and State Affairs committees.[5]

Since 2011, as the longest serving member, Craddick has held the title of "Dean of the House".[12][13] In January 2019, he achieved 50 years in the Texas House.[4] Since 2021, he has shared the title with Senfronia Thompson, the longest serving female representative.[14][15]

In March 2011, Craddick collapsed at the State Capitol while speaking about a bill in front of the Transportation Committee. His office later said that he was not seriously injured and it was related to a leg problem that Craddick was healing from.[16]

Beginning in 2011, Craddick tried to get a bill passed banning texting while driving.[17] In 2011, Governor Rick Perry vetoed Craddick's bill, after it made its way through the House and Senate.[17] In 2013, his bill, House Bill 63, passed in the House but died in the Senate.[17] Craddick attributed the bill not passing to Senator Robert Nichols refusing to put the bill up for a vote in the Senate Transportation committee, which he chaired.[18] In March 2015, the Texas House Transportation Committee unanimously passed House Bill 80, authored by Craddick, banning texting while driving.[19] This bill never made it to the full House.[17] On May 17, 2019, the Senate amended Craddick's bill, House Bill 62, with a vote of 23-8, in favor.[17] The House passed Craddick's bill with the Senate amendments, with a vote of 123-17, in favor.[20] On June 6, 2017, House Bill 62 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, effective September 1, 2017.[21]

In 2023, Craddick authored a bill to replace "mental retardation" in Texas Government Codes to "intellectual disability". This was signed into law by Governor Abbott in May 2023.[22]

On July 1, 2025, Craddick announced he would be running in 2026 for his 30th term. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is running against Democrat Cathy Broadrick in the general election.[3]

Speaker of the House

On January 11, 2003, after thirty-four years in the House, Craddick became the first Republican Speaker in more than 130 years, since the era of Reconstruction Era.[4][9] He held the presiding officer's position for six years.[9] During his speakership, the state went from $10 billion dollar budget deficit to $10 billion dollar surplus.[9]

In December 2006, Craddick faced credible challenges to his re-election as Speaker for the Eightieth Texas Legislature: Brian McCall (R-Plano), Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), all of whom announced candidacies for the speakership. In early January, McCall withdrew and endorsed Pitts.[23] Supporters of Pitts pressed for a secret ballot in order to avoid retribution should their efforts fail,[23] while Craddick had maintained all along that he had more than the minimum number of votes needed for re-election.[24] When the secret ballot measure failed, Pitts withdrew, and Craddick was re-elected to a third term as Speaker on January 9, 2007, by a vote of 121-27.[24][25]

Removal Attempt

Craddick became increasingly unpopular with not only Democrats but those of his own party, and many called for a new Speaker to be elected.[26] In the most extreme case, Craddick's political views and leadership compelled Kirk England (R-Grand Prairie) to change parties and run for re-election as a Democrat in 2008.[27] Chaos erupted in the Texas House of Representatives on May 25, 2007, when Fred Hill, a Republican from Richardson, attempted to raise a question of privilege to remove Craddick from office, but Craddick refused to Recognize him to make the motion.[28] The attempts to oust Craddick continued through the weekend as other Republicans made additional motions, which were also disallowed for a time. Craddick's close allies, such as Representative Phil King of Weatherford, said that the actions against the Speaker were an effort by Democrats to gain control of the legislature before the legislative and congressional redistricting process of 2011.[28] However, then Representative Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) said that the fight was about Craddick having consolidated power with lobbyists and having used campaign contributions to maintain control in the House: "This is about the convergence of money and power and influence," Cook said.[28]

Craddick recessed the legislature for two and a half hours after Representatives attempted to gain recognition to put the question of Craddick's removal to a vote. When Hill asked to vote to remove Mr. Craddick, the Speaker replied: "The Speaker's power of recognition on any matter cannot be appealed."[29] His parliamentarian, Denise Davis disagreed, stating that a question of privilege relating to the removal of a Speaker from office is such a highly privileged one that the Speaker may not refuse recognition. When Craddick shunned her advice, Davis and her assistant, Chris Griesel, resigned. Craddick immediately hired former Representative Terry Keel of Austin to the post as well as former Representative Ron Wilson as Keel's assistant. The new parliamentarians upheld Craddick's decision and the session resumed until 1 a.m. and despite further protests from members of the legislature, Craddick remained in his position as Speaker, and the session was recessed.[26]

In January 2009, Craddick was not reelected as Speaker after nearly the entire Democratic Caucus and a number of Republicans broke ranks to vote for Joe Straus, a two-term moderate Republican from San Antonio.[30] Straus remained speaker for five terms until his retirement from the House in January 2019. The last Texas House Speaker to be removed had also been a Republican, Ira Hobart Evans, who was rejected in 1871 for cooperating with Democrats on an elections bill.[28] Craddick won reelection to his House seat in the general election on November 2, 2010.

Personal life

Craddick married the former Nadine Nayfa on September 9, 1969 in her hometown of Sweetwater in west Texas.[9][31] She is of Lebanese descent. They have two children, a daughter Christi Craddick, and a son, Thomas Jr., as well as a grandson, Thomas Russell Craddick III. In 1976, Craddick created the Craddick Children's Trust for his two children. In 2013, it was transferred to Quarry, an oil company owned by them.[5] In 2012, when Craddick won his 23rd term in the Texas House, Christi was easily elected as a Republican to the Texas Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulatory body.[32]

Business Interests

Nadine is also on the Board of Directors at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.[33] Tom Craddick is president of Craddick, Inc., a sales representative for Horizon Mud Company and owns Craddick Properties.[9] Craddick Inc. and Craddick Partners Ltd. are ran from his home in Midland.[10] His wife is a Vice President of Craddick, Inc.[1]

Tom and Christi Craddick both have ownership interests in 360 oil and gas leases in the 22 counties across Texas, with a value of over $20 million. Craddick receives royalties of more than $2 million per year for brokering extraction lease sales, which are potential conflicts of interest as he sits on the committee that oversees the state's oil industry.[5] Craddick was elected to the board of directors of Mexco Energy Corporation in March 1998,[34] which brings the number of leases they are involved with to over 600.[10] Craddick introduced a bill that would preserve the interests of holders of overriding royalties such as his own; he has reintroduced it after it was vetoed by Governor Abbott.[5]

Honors

On December 10, 2009, a section of Texas State Highway 349, a "reliever route" was opened, which was named the Nadine and Tom Craddick Highway after Craddick and his wife, who helped to create the highway.[35]

Craddick and his wife have founded several scholarship funds including: The Tom and Nadine Craddick Presidential Scholarship Endowment for the Texas Tech University System, the Nadine and Tom Craddick Distinguished Chair in Medical Science Endowment for The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and the Nadine Craddick Endowment Fund for the Midland Memorial Foundation at Midland Memorial Hospital.[1]

On April 18, 2013, Craddick was inducted into the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum’s “Petroleum Hall of Fame.” for being one of “...those who cherished the freedom to dare, and whose work and service helped build the Permian Basin,” and "...have been refined by the industry over the years in their efforts to grow a business or pass legislation that affects it."[36] His picture is featured in there.[10] On October 15, 2024, Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center named their Physician Assistant's Program for Nadine and Thomas Craddick.[37]

On January 28, 2025, The Midland International Air and Space Port unveiled a sculpture of Tom and Nadine to honor them.[38]

Electoral history

Summary

Craddick has won 29 elections since 1968, being uncontested in all his primary runs, except 1968, and uncontested in the 1974, 1978-1982, 1986, 1992-1998, 2002-2006, 2010-2016, 2020 and 2022 general elections, or 17 out 30 elections. He routinely garnered at least 70% of the vote in his contested elections, with only two elections where he received less, being in 1970 when he received 52.2% and in 2008 when he received 62.12%.

Texas House, 70th district (1968, 1970)

1968

On February 9, 1968, he entered the race the day after incumbent, Frank Kell Cahoon, announced that he would not run for re-election for Texas House District 70.[39]

Craddick ran against Joe S. Davis in the Republican primary.[40] He ran against Democrat Ray O. Howard in the general election and won his first term.[41]

1968 Texas House District 70 Primary Election[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 1,698 73.06%
Republican Joe S. Davis 626 26.94%
Total votes 2,324 100.00%
Republican hold
1968 Texas House District 70 General Election[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 14,493 70.85%
Democratic Ray O. Howard 5,963 29.15%
Total votes 20,456 100.00%
Republican hold

1970

Craddick was unopposed in the Republican primary.[42] He ran against Democrat Bob Northington in the general election and won his second term.[43]

1970 District 70 General Election[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 8,468 52.20%
Democratic Bob Northington 7,752 47.80%
Total votes 16,220 100.00%
Republican hold

Texas House, 68th district (1972–1980)

1972

Craddick was unopposed in the Republican primary.[44] This was the first election Craddick ran for the 68th district. He then ran against Democrat Willie B. DuBose in the general election and won a third term.[45]

1972 District 68 General Election[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 18,175 70.52%
Democratic Willie B. DuBose 7,601 29.48%
Total votes 25,776 100.00%
Republican hold

1974

He ran unopposed in the primary[46] and general elections and was re-elected to a fourth term.[47]

1976

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[48] He then was running against Democrat John B. Billingsley Jr. until he dropped out the race in July 1976 citing "personal reasons".[48] He then faced Democrat R. L. "Bob" Corley in the general election and won a fifth term.[49]

1976 District 68 General Election[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 20,238 71.29%
Democratic R. L. "Bob" Corley 8,147 28.71%
Total votes 28,385 100.00%
Republican hold

1978

Craddick was unopposed in the Republican primary election, winning 5,168 votes.[50] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 13,564 votes and re-election to a sixth term.[51]

1980

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary and received 6,229 votes.[52] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 22,946 votes and re-election to a seventh term.[53]

Texas House, 76th district (1982–1990)

1982

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[54] This was the first election Craddick ran for the 76th district. He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 18,873 votes and re-election to an eighth term.[55]

1984

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[56] He then ran against Democrat G. David Smith in the general election and won a ninth term.[57]

1984 District 76 General Election[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 38,716 79.23%
Democratic G. David Smith 10,151 20.77%
Total votes 48,867 100.00%
Republican hold

1986

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[59] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 21,770 votes and re-election to a tenth term.[60]

1988

He ran unopposed in the Republican primary, winning 2,285 votes.[61] He then ran against Libertarian Leonard Oth Carl in the general election and won re-election to an eleventh term.[58]

1988 District 76 General Election[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 38,422 94.4%
Libertarian Leonard Oth Carl 2,288 5.6%
Total votes 40,710 100.00%
Republican hold

1990

He ran unopposed in the Republican primary, receiving 1,871 votes.[62][63] He then ran against Libertarian Len Caryl in the general election and won re-election to a twelfth term.[64]

1990 District 76 General Election[64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 29,448 89.03%
Libertarian Len Caryl 3,630 10.97%
Total votes 33,078 100.00%
Republican hold

Texas House, 82nd district (1993–present)

1992

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 15,219 votes.[65] This was the first election Craddick ran for the 82nd district. He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 32,539 votes and re-election to a thirteenth term.[66]

1994

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 8,024 votes.[67] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 26,034 votes and re-election to a fourteenth term.[68]

1996

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 13,289 votes.[69] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 30,771 votes and re-election to a fifteenth term.[70]

1998

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 8,329 votes.[71] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 22,086 votes and re-election to a sixteenth term.[72]

2000

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 16,007 votes.[73] He then ran against Democrat Gilberto M. Garcia in the general election and won re-election to a seventeenth term.[74]

2000 District 82 General Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 31,717 78.28%
Democratic Gilberto M. Garcia 8,798 21.72%
Total votes 40,515 100.00%
Republican hold

2002

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 5,651 votes.[75] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 28,968 votes and re-election to an eighteenth term.[76]

2004

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 10,076 votes.[77] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 42,237 votes and re-election to a nineteenth term.[78]

2006

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 5,439 votes.[79] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 24,187 votes and re-election to a 20th term.[80]

2008

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 11,962 votes.[81] He then ran against Democrat Bill Dingus and Libertarian Sherry Phillips in the general election and won re-election to a 21st term.[82]

2008 District 82 General Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick 33,202 62.12%
Democratic Bill Dingus 18,870 35.31%
Libertarian Sherry Phillips 1,372 2.57%
Total votes 53,444 100.00%
Republican hold

2010

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 11,555 votes.[83] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 28,006 votes and re-election to a 22nd term.[84]

2012

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 10,945 votes.[85] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 42,572 votes and re-election to a 23rd term.[32]

2014

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 13,129 votes.[86] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 24,262 votes and re-election to a 24th term.[87]

2016

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 20,819 votes.[88] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 47,432 votes and re-election to a 25th term.[89]

2018

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, winning 13,973 votes.[90] He then ran against Democrat Spencer Bounds in the general election and won re-election to a 26th term.[91]

2018 District 82 general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick (incumbent) 39,030 80.13
Democratic Spencer Bounds 9,677 19.87
Total votes 48,707 100.0
Republican hold

2020

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 22,604 votes.[92] He then ran unopposed in the general election, winning 61,068 votes and won re-election to a 27th term.[93]

2022

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, gaining 13,643 votes.[94] He then ran unopposed in the general election and won re-election to a 28th term.[95]

2024

Craddick ran unopposed in the Republican primary, winning 15,128 votes.[96] He then ran against Democrat Steven Schafersman and won re-election to a 29th term.[96]

2024 District 82 general election[96]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick (incumbent) 50,546 82.73%
Democratic Steven Schafersman 10,555 17.27%
Total votes 61,101 100%
Republican hold

2026

Craddick is running for re-election for a 30th term.[97] He ran unopposed in the Republican primary election and won 13,631 votes.[98]

2026 District 82 general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Craddick (incumbent)
Democratic Cathy Broadrick
Total votes 100%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Nadine Craddick Vice President and Secretary of Craddick, Inc". Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  2. ↑ Moritz, John C. (January 7, 2019). "Longest-serving man, woman of the Texas Legislature show that grit endures". Abilene Reporter-News. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Meza, Gabriella (July 1, 2025). "Texas' longest-serving Lawmaker seeks reelection". YourBasin. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Armuss, Teo (November 26, 2018). ""Some people play golf. I'm in the Legislature." Rep. Tom Craddick's tenure in the Texas House will soon reach 50 years". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gold, Russell (2023-03-14). "The Craddicks' Gushers of Cash: How a Powerful Texas Lawmaker and a Key Regulator Profit From the Industry They Oversee". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  6. 1 2 "Russell F. Craddick". San Angelo Standard-Times. October 27, 1986. p. 2. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  7. ↑ Tastad, Ann (February 8, 2003). "Ex-Beloiter heads Texas House". Beloit Daily News. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Rep. Craddick, Tom". house.texas.gov. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Rep. Tom Craddick, Texas House of Representatives". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Oil Empire Power". KXAN. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  11. ↑ Bickerstaff, Steve. Lines in the Sand: Congressional Redistricting in Texas and the Downfall of Tom DeLay. Univ. of Texas Press, 2010. p. 25.
  12. ↑ "House committee assignments, at long last". Texas Monthly. 2011-02-10. Archived from the original on 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
  13. ↑ Hawes, Trevor. "Tom Craddick reappointed as Texas House Dean, heads Transportation". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Archived from the original on 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
  14. ↑ Hagan, Lisa (July 13, 2021). "Texas Democrats Fly to D.C. to Pressure Congress to Pass Federal Voting Legislation". U.S. News. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  15. ↑ Taylor Goldenstein, Isaac Yu. "Texas House unveils portrait of longtime Houston Rep. Senfronia Thompson". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2025-06-08. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
  16. ↑ Smith Gonzalez, Christopher (March 8, 2011). "Craddick's Collapse Not Serious, His Office Says". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 Rocha, Alana; Watkins, Matthew (May 19, 2017). "Bill to ban texting while driving clears Senate". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  18. ↑ Hooks, Chris (May 28, 2013). "Craddick Faults Nichols Over Texting-While-Driving Bill". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  19. ↑ Walters, Edgar (March 15, 2015). "House Panel Endorses Texting-While-Driving Ban". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  20. ↑ "HB 62 - HOUSE CONCURS IN SENATE AMENDMENTS, TEXT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS" (PDF). Journals of the Texas House of Representatives. May 21, 2017. p. 4134. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  21. ↑ Platoff, Emma (June 6, 2017). "Gov. Abbott signs statewide ban on texting while driving". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  22. ↑ GovAbbottPress [@GovAbbottPress] (May 15, 2023). "Today, I signed HB 446 to remove outdated language from Texas laws that refer to people with intellectual disabilities" (Tweet). Retrieved August 18, 2026 – via Twitter.
  23. 1 2 Sandberg, Lisa; Peggy Fikac (2007-01-06). "Speaker's job may hang on vote rules: Some say Craddick would lose if balloting is done in secret". Houston Chronicle. p. B1. Retrieved 2007-01-11. Many political watchers say a secret ballot would give House members cover to orchestrate a coup against the incumbent Craddick, and not suffer political fallout (bad committee assignments) if they fail.
  24. 1 2 Sandberg, Lisa; Peggy Fikac (January 10, 2007). "Craddick re-elected speaker Speaker Landslide". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  25. ↑ There was one vacancy in the 150-member chamber, and Craddick abstained.
  26. 1 2 "Monkey and other business". The Economist. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  27. ↑ "State Representative Kirk England switches to Democratic Party | www.pegasusnews.com | Dallas/Fort Worth". 2014-02-22. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  28. 1 2 3 4 R.G. Ratcliffe and Gary Scharrer (2007-05-27). "The House struggles to move forward". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
  29. ↑ Craddick causes frenzy in House
  30. ↑ Collier, Ken; Galatas, Steven; Harrelson-Stephens, Julie. Lone Star Politics: Tradition and Transformation in Texas. CQ Press, 2017. p. 109.
  31. ↑ "Craddick, Nolan Woman To Wed". San Angelo Standard-Times. July 14, 1969. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  32. 1 2 "Texas 2012 General Election Results". November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Board of Directors". Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  34. ↑ "THOMAS R. CRADDICK, Mexco Energy Corporation". Mexco Energy Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  35. ↑ TxDOT Odessa [@TxDOTOdessa] (December 10, 2009). "Entire Nadine & Tom Craddick Highway (SH 349 Reliever Route) from FM 1788 to SH 349 open this afternoon. Phase from FM 1788 to SH 158 opens" (Tweet). Retrieved January 5, 2021 – via Twitter.
  36. ↑ "The Freedom to Dare". Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine. April 23, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center naming program after Nadine and Tom Craddick". NewsWest9. October 15, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Sculpture of Craddicks to be unveiled". The Odessa American. January 22, 2025. p. 2. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Tom Craddick Enters House Race". San Angelo Weekly Standard. February 9, 1968. p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Midland". Odessa American. March 8, 1970. p. 20. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  41. 1 2 3 "70th Legislative District". San Angelo Standard-Times. November 7, 1968. p. 7. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Midland". Odessa American. March 8, 1970. p. 20. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  43. 1 2 "Craddick Fights Off Strong Democrat Bid". Odessa American. November 4, 1970. p. 11. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Midland County". Odessa American. February 13, 1972. p. 45. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  45. 1 2 "Craddick Wins Third Term". Odessa American. November 8, 1972. p. 9. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Eight Blacks Win Texas Primaries". Bryan-College Station Eagle. May 6, 1974. p. 15. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  47. ↑ "68th District". San Angelo Standard-Times. November 3, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  48. 1 2 "GOP Hopeful Quits Race". Odessa American. July 16, 1976. p. 2. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  49. 1 2 "Craddick Wins Re-election Bid". San Angelo Standard-Times. November 3, 1976. p. 3. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Midland". Odessa American. May 7, 1978. p. 51. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Midland vote strong for Bush". Odessa American. November 8, 1978. p. 36. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  52. ↑ "Midland picks from 15 Republicans, nine democrats". Odessa American. May 4, 1980. p. 49. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  53. ↑ "Midland vote sets record". Odessa American. November 5, 1980. p. 6. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  54. ↑ Owens, Jim (April 25, 1982). "Craddick unopposed in new 76th District". San Angelo Standard-Times. p. 139. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  55. ↑ Halpern, Robert; St. Germaine, Dennis (November 3, 1982). "Shaw wins new house seat". Odessa American. p. 30. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  56. ↑ Burke, Gail (May 2, 1984). "Candidates in primaries unopposed". Odessa American. p. 17. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  57. ↑ Lichtenstein, Robin (November 7, 1984). "Smith vows to fight Craddick on UTPB". Odessa American. p. 17. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  58. 1 2 3 Pearson, Brian (November 9, 1998). "Unopposed state goals for new terms". Odessa American. p. 9. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  59. ↑ Watkins, John (April 29, 1986). "Candidates tout qualifications for district seat". Odessa American. p. 11. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  60. ↑ Hammons, Susan (November 5, 1986). "New legislator says he'll fight for universities". Odessa American. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  61. ↑ "State Representative, District 76". Odessa American. March 9, 1998. p. 16. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  62. ↑ Wheeler, Mike (March 14, 1990). "District 76: Craddick will face a Libertarian". Odessa American. p. 13. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  63. ↑ Wheeler, Mike (March 9, 1990). "School funding is hot issue for Republicans". Odessa American. p. 9. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  64. 1 2 Wheeler, Mike (November 7, 1990). "District 76: Craddick defeats Libertarian". Odessa American. p. 11. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  65. ↑ "Texas 1992 Primary Election Results". March 10, 1992. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  66. ↑ "Texas 1992 General Election Results". November 3, 1992. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  67. ↑ "Texas 1994 Primary Election Results". March 8, 1994. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  68. ↑ "Texas 1994 General Election Results". November 8, 1994. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  69. ↑ "Texas 1996 Primary Election Results". March 12, 1996. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  70. ↑ "Texas 1996 General Election Results". November 5, 1996. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  71. ↑ "Texas 1998 Primary Election Results". March 10, 1998. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  72. ↑ "Texas 1998 General Election Results". November 3, 1998. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  73. ↑ "Texas 2000 Primary Election Results". March 14, 2000. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  74. ↑ "Texas 2000 General Election Results". November 7, 2000. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  75. ↑ "Texas 2002 Primary Election Results". March 12, 2002. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  76. ↑ "Texas 2002 General Election Results". November 5, 2002. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  77. ↑ "Texas 2004 Primary Election Results". March 9, 2004. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  78. ↑ "Texas 2004 General Election Results". November 2, 2004. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  79. ↑ "Texas 2006 Primary Election Results". March 7, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  80. ↑ "Texas 2006 General Election Results". November 7, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  81. ↑ "Texas 2008 Primary Election Results". March 4, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  82. ↑ "Texas 2008 General Election Results". November 4, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  83. ↑ "Texas 2010 Primary Election Results". March 2, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  84. ↑ "Texas 2010 General Election Results". November 2, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  85. ↑ "Texas 2012 Primary Election Results". May 29, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  86. ↑ "Texas 2014 Primary Election Results". March 4, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  87. ↑ "Texas 2014 General Election Results". November 4, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  88. ↑ "Texas 2016 Primary Election Results". March 1, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  89. ↑ "Texas 2016 General Election Results". November 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  90. ↑ "2018 Republican Party Election Results". March 6, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  91. ↑ "Texas 2018 General Election Results". November 6, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  92. ↑ "Texas 2020 Primary Election Results" (PDF). March 3, 2020. p. 429. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  93. ↑ "Texas 2020 General Election Results" (PDF). November 3, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  94. ↑ "Texas 2022 Primary Election Results" (PDF). March 1, 2022. p. 456. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  95. ↑ "Texas 2022 General Election Results" (PDF). November 8, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  96. 1 2 3 "Texas 2024 General Election Results" (PDF). November 5, 2024. p. 343. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  97. ↑ Correa, Adam (July 1, 2025). "Tom Craddick running for reelection in Texas House District 82 seat". Newswest9. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  98. ↑ "State Representative District 82 Election Results". Texas Secretary of State. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.