Longtime Galveston state rep. decides to not seek re-election

GALVESTON – A local attorney who has had a presence in the Texas House of Representatives for the past 20 years decided to make his current term his last.

A. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, said on May 22 that he is not seeking re-election when his term ends in 2014, citing the difficulty of being away from his family.

Eiland's announcement came during a tearful personal privilege speech on the House floor.

“I’m not saying I’m not going to come back, but I’m saying I’m not going to run for reelection,” he said.

“And it’s very difficulty for me because I love the session. The relationships we develop and the people we can help back home, it’s been a great experience.”

Eiland represents District 23 which comprises of eastern Galveston County and all of Chambers County.

Previously, he served District 24, which encompassed all of Galveston County west of Interstate 45.

In the November 2012 elections, he accumulated 26,732 out of 41,862 total votes to beat Republican and business owner Wayne Faircloth, being one of a few Democrats who won in an area that leaned mostly red in several races.

After his reelection in 2008, he assisted in efforts to convince the University of Texas Board of Regents to keep the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Eiland is the current vice chairman of the House Insurance Committee.