Biography

Chip Cravaack* is a first-term Congressman representing Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.  He was elected to the U.S. Congress in November 2010.

He serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee – the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.  The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in Northeast Minnesota.

Representative Cravaack is a retired Naval officer having achieved the rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve.  Captain Cravaack served 24 years as a rated Navy helicopter pilot and a Master Training Specialist.  He proudly wears Naval Aviator Wings, Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Wings, and an Air Assault Badge.  He is also a retired commercial airline pilot.

The Representative recognizes and appreciates the remarkable opportunities and attainable goals afforded to Americans:  “My grandparents came to this country with essentially what they had on their backs, but knew that education and perseverance were the keys to success.  No one promised my grandparents anything except the virtues of freedom and opportunity.”

Representative lives in North Branch, Minnesota.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy and earned a Masters Degree in Education from the University of West Florida.  He has also attended courses at the Naval War College and the National Defense University.  Chip and his wife, Traci, have two sons.
 

*Pronounced Krah-VACK’