DCCC - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

I was born on July 31, 1972 to Don Cravins, Sr. and Patricia Arceneaux Cravins in Houston, Texas. Shortly thereafter, my family moved back to Louisiana where my father worked as an insurance salesman and my mother a public school teacher. At any early age, my parents taught me, my sister Denni and my brother Dustin the value of hard work and of a good education. I spent my elementary school years attending Lafayette Parish and St. Landry Parish public schools where I was involved in programs like 4-H and Junior Beta Club. I graduated from high school in 1990 from Teurlings Catholic High School.

Upon graduation from high school, I decided to attend LSU in Baton Rouge and majored in Political Science. I was very involved with student government, serving as a Freshman Representative and as Vice President. I was also involved in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a member of the Greek Steering Committee and served as a counselor with the Louisiana Youth Seminar. I graduated in 1994.

In 1995, I entered the Southern University Law Center and was an active member of Moot Court and an associate editor of the University's scholarly publication, the Southern University Law Review. I served as the President of the Law Center's Student Body and graduated in 1998 with honors.

Upon graduation from law school, I began working as Deputy Campaign Manager for United States Senator John Breaux. After Senator Breaux was re-elected, I joined the corporate law firm of McGlinchey Stafford, in Baton Rouge. There, I represented businesses located in South Louisiana. Two years later, I relocated to Southwest Louisiana and went to work for the law firm of Domengeaux Wright Roy and Edwards.  At DWRE, I have represented injured people as well as small businesses in the court system throughout Louisiana and the United States.

In 2004 and at the age of 32, I was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 40. I campaigned on being a Pro-Life Democrat who would fight for children and working families. My father and I made history by being the only father and son to serve in the Louisiana Legislature at the same time. In 2006, I was elected to the Louisiana Senate for the 24th District, a position I currently hold.

In my community, I am proud to serve as the Captain of the Opelousas Police Department Reserve Unit. I have been an active reserve police officer for the Opelousas Police Department. Even after I was elected to public office, I have continued to put in my 12 volunteer hours a month with the police department. Also, I am an executive board member of the St. Landry/Evangeline United Way and a member of the Lafayette Junior League Advisory Board.

In the Louisiana Legislature, I have been a fighter for insurance and juvenile justice reform throughout Louisiana. I currently chair the Senate Insurance Committee and serve as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Retirement Committee. Legislation that I introduced this past session has set the state on track for improved insurance coverage for coastal and non-coastal citizens, has highlighted the importance of rehabilitation within our juvenile justice system, and has made caring for the elderly and mentally disabled a top priority. I continue to fight for the recovery of the areas struck the worst by Hurricane Rita.

My wife, Yvette Puckett Cravins, and I reside in Opelousas with our two children, Dominique Claire (9) and Don, III "Trey" (7). We are parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lafayette. I host a weekly public/government affairs television show, Cravins Squared, on KDCG Cox Cable Channel 9 with my father.