Dan Crenshaw

Dan Crenshaw
Born	Daniel Reed Crenshaw 14 3, 1984
Birthplace	Aberdeen, Scotland
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Hlist
Known for	U.S. Representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district
Education	Tufts University (BA) Harvard University (MPA)
Children	1
Website	[crenshaw.house.gov Official site]

Daniel Reed Crenshaw (born March 14, 1984) is an American politician and former United States Navy SEAL officer who has served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Crenshaw first gained national attention during his 2018 congressional campaign, which drew on his distinguished military career. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Crenshaw grew up in the Houston area and went on to serve as a commissioned officer in the Navy, deploying multiple times to combat zones in Afghanistan and the Middle East as part of SEAL Team 3. During his third deployment, he was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in the loss of his right eye. After his military service, Crenshaw pursued graduate studies at Harvard University and worked as a legislative assistant to Representative Pete Sessions before launching his own bid for Congress. He won election in 2018 to succeed retiring Representative Ted Poe and has since served multiple terms representing the Houston-area district. Crenshaw became a prominent figure in national Republican politics, particularly after a high-profile incident involving the television program Saturday Night Live in November 2018, which brought him widespread media coverage and public recognition.

Early Life

Daniel Reed Crenshaw was born on March 14, 1984, in Aberdeen, Scotland, where his father was working in the oil and gas industry. The family relocated frequently during his childhood due to his father's career in the energy sector, and Crenshaw spent portions of his youth living in both Ecuador and Colombia before the family eventually settled in the Houston, Texas area.

Growing up in the Houston area, Crenshaw developed an interest in public service and the military. His upbringing abroad gave him exposure to different cultures and a perspective on international affairs that would later inform both his military career and his political positions.

Crenshaw's mother died of cancer when he was young, an event that shaped his outlook on life and his sense of determination. He has spoken publicly about the influence his mother's death had on his decision-making and his desire to serve a cause greater than himself. His father raised him after his mother's passing, and the family's connection to Houston remained strong despite their years abroad.

Education

Crenshaw attended Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations. While at Tufts, he was already oriented toward military service. A 2006 profile in the Tufts Daily noted that Crenshaw was preparing to enter the Navy SEAL pipeline upon graduation, describing his forthcoming transition from college student to special operations candidate.

After completing his military service, Crenshaw enrolled at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. His graduate studies focused on public policy, and the experience at Harvard provided him with additional credentials as he transitioned from military service into the political arena.

Career

Military Service

Upon graduating from Tufts University in 2006, Crenshaw entered the United States Navy and began training to become a Navy SEAL. He was commissioned as an officer and was eventually assigned to SEAL Team 3, one of the Navy's elite special operations units. Over the course of his military career, which spanned from 2006 to 2016, Crenshaw deployed five times, serving in both the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, as well as in other overseas assignments.

During his third deployment to Afghanistan, Crenshaw was severely wounded in action. An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near him, causing catastrophic injuries to his face and eyes. He lost his right eye entirely and sustained significant damage to his left eye, leaving him temporarily uncertain whether he would retain any vision at all. After extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, doctors were able to save partial vision in his left eye, though the recovery process was lengthy and difficult.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Crenshaw returned to active duty after his recovery. He continued to serve as a SEAL and deployed twice more after losing his eye, demonstrating a determination to continue his military career despite his disability. Over the course of his service, he earned two Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with valor, among other decorations.

Crenshaw rose to the rank of lieutenant commander before retiring from the Navy in 2016 after a decade of service.

Transition to Politics

Following his retirement from the military, Crenshaw pursued his Master of Public Administration degree at Harvard and began exploring a career in public policy. He served as a legislative assistant to Representative Pete Sessions of Texas, gaining firsthand experience in the workings of Congress and federal policy-making. This position gave Crenshaw insight into legislative processes and helped him build connections within Texas Republican politics.

In 2017, when longtime Representative Ted Poe announced that he would not seek reelection in Texas's 2nd congressional district, Crenshaw entered the race to succeed him. He officially launched his campaign, presenting himself as a combat veteran with policy expertise who could bring a new perspective to the Houston-area district.

2018 Congressional Campaign

The Republican primary for Texas's 2nd congressional district in 2018 was a crowded field. Crenshaw emerged as a leading candidate, drawing attention for his military background and policy positions. Early in the primary campaign, he jumped out to a commanding position among the Republican contenders.

When no candidate secured a majority in the initial primary, the race went to a runoff election. Crenshaw faced Kevin Roberts in the Republican runoff in May 2018 and won decisively, securing the party's nomination for the general election.

In the November 2018 general election, Crenshaw defeated Democratic candidate Todd Litton, winning the seat in a district that had long leaned Republican. His victory was part of a broader trend of military veterans running for Congress in the 2018 cycle, though it was notable given the national profile he had acquired in the final days of the campaign due to the Saturday Night Live controversy.

Saturday Night Live Incident

In November 2018, just days before the general election, Crenshaw became the subject of national attention when comedian Pete Davidson made a joke about his appearance on the NBC television show Saturday Night Live. During the show's "Weekend Update" segment, Davidson commented on Crenshaw's eye patch, making a remark that many viewers and commentators interpreted as mocking a war injury sustained in service to the country.

The incident generated significant public backlash against Davidson and the show. Crenshaw initially responded with measured statements, telling media outlets that he was not offended on his own behalf but believed the joke was disrespectful to veterans more broadly. The following week, Crenshaw appeared on Saturday Night Live alongside Davidson in a segment where Davidson apologized and the two engaged in a conciliatory exchange. During the appearance, Crenshaw urged Americans to "never forget" the sacrifices of service members, using the platform—which aired close to Veterans Day—to deliver a broader message about patriotism and unity.

The episode was widely covered in national media and significantly raised Crenshaw's public profile. The Washington Post noted that Crenshaw "started the week as an SNL joke and ended it as a GOP star," while also reporting on the military service record that preceded the incident. Representative-elect Crenshaw suggested that political discourse could benefit from more grace and less outrage, a message that resonated with many observers at the time.

Congressional Tenure

Crenshaw took office on January 3, 2019, succeeding Ted Poe as the representative for Texas's 2nd congressional district. In Congress, he has focused on issues including national security, energy policy, border security, and veterans' affairs. His policy positions have generally aligned with mainstream Republican positions, though he has at times drawn scrutiny from both the right and left wings of American politics.

On energy policy, Crenshaw has been an advocate for the oil and gas industry, reflecting the economic interests of his Houston-area district, which is home to a significant concentration of energy companies. In December 2025, he introduced legislation to provide regulatory certainty for advanced recycling technologies, co-sponsoring the bill with Representative Gary Palmer of Alabama. The bill aimed to establish a clear federal regulatory framework for chemical recycling processes used to convert plastic waste into new materials.

On matters of national security and foreign policy, Crenshaw has drawn on his military experience and spoken frequently about threats posed by drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border. In February 2026, following a U.S.-backed Mexican military operation that resulted in the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," Crenshaw called on Congress to support U.S. forces fighting Mexican drug cartels, describing the cartels as a "terrorist insurgency" comparable to ISIS.

Crenshaw has also been involved in controversies within his own party. In November 2025, reports surfaced regarding his behavior during a congressional delegation trip to Mexico, prompting House Speaker Mike Johnson to publicly defend him.

2026 Primary Challenge

As of early 2026, Crenshaw faced a primary challenge from Steve Toth, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, in the Republican primary for Texas's 2nd congressional district. Toth's challenge came amid criticism of Crenshaw from right-wing media outlets and figures within the conservative movement who questioned his positions on certain issues, including foreign policy.

The primary was notable for the fact that Crenshaw did not have the endorsement of former President Donald Trump in the race, making him one of the few Republican incumbents facing a contested primary without Trump's backing. The Cook Political Report characterized the Texas primary environment as one in which "Republicans go RINO hunting," referencing the term "Republican in Name Only" used by some conservative commentators to describe Republicans they view as insufficiently aligned with the party's right flank.

During the campaign, Crenshaw continued to make media appearances, including on local Houston television, discussing policy issues and the primary contest.

Personal Life

Dan Crenshaw is married to Tara Crenshaw. The couple has one child. The Crenshaws reside in the Houston, Texas area.

Crenshaw wears a glass eye and an eye patch over his right eye socket as a result of the injuries he sustained from the IED blast in Afghanistan. He has spoken publicly about the long rehabilitation process following his injuries, including multiple surgeries and the challenge of adjusting to life with impaired vision. Despite the loss of his right eye, Crenshaw maintained an active lifestyle after his military career, including running and participating in physical fitness activities.

Crenshaw has been open about the psychological dimensions of recovering from a combat injury, and has discussed themes of resilience, perseverance, and the importance of finding purpose after trauma in various public speaking engagements and media appearances.

Recognition

During his military career, Crenshaw received numerous decorations for his service, including two Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with valor.

His appearance on Saturday Night Live in November 2018, in which he appeared alongside Pete Davidson and delivered remarks about honoring military service members near Veterans Day, was one of the most discussed television moments of the 2018 election cycle. The segment drew praise from commentators across the political spectrum for its tone of reconciliation and its focus on veterans' sacrifices.

The Houston Chronicle profiled Crenshaw's appeal as a candidate and elected official, noting that his combination of military service, policy credentials, and personal story distinguished him within the Republican Party's congressional delegation. A post-election analysis suggested that Republican voters could learn from the approach taken by Crenshaw's supporters in the 2018 race.

Crenshaw has been featured in coverage by outlets including The Washington Post, USA Today, The Texas Tribune, Fox News, NBC News, and the Cook Political Report, reflecting his standing as one of the more prominent Republican members of the House of Representatives from Texas.