Eric Crawford

Eric "Rick" Crawford was born on January 22, 1966, at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida and grew up in a military family. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served for four years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician and reached the rank of Sergeant. After his military service, he attended Arkansas State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Economics in 1996. Before entering public office, Crawford had a diverse career in the agriculture industry, working as a rodeo announcer and producer, a broadcast news anchor, and an agricultural reporter. He also founded and operated the AgWatch Network, a farm news provider for radio affiliates across several states, and served as a marketing manager for a large John Deere dealer group. A member of the Republican Party, Crawford was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 to represent Arkansas's 1st Congressional District, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat since Reconstruction. Throughout his tenure, he has been a prominent voice for rural and agricultural interests. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he has worked on multiple Farm Bills and secured federal designations for regional interstate projects like I-555 and I-57. In January 2025, Crawford was appointed Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, having served as a member of the committee since 2017.

Crawford's legislative record and public statements reflect a focus on agricultural policy, national security, and fiscal conservatism. He views agricultural production as a matter of national security and has consistently advocated for risk management tools for farmers and the expansion of export markets. Notably, he has supported legislation to allow private financing for agricultural exports to Cuba, arguing that the trade embargo should be eased for food products to benefit American producers. He is a proponent of limited government, frequently opposing federal environmental regulations such as 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) rules, which he characterizes as federal overreach that burdens rural communities. Crawford identifies as pro-life and a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights. His economic platform emphasizes lower taxes and reduced federal spending to maintain long-term fiscal health. Additionally, he focuses on rural development issues, including the expansion of rural broadband and the improvement of infrastructure in the Mississippi Delta and Ozark regions.