[2] Craven earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

[4] On July 14, 2020, Craven was selected by the Republican executive committee of North Carolina's 26th Senate district to replace Tillman.

[3] On July 17, 2020, Craven was appointed to fill Tillman's vacancy by Governor Roy Cooper.

[4] At the time he was appointed to the state senate, Craven served as senior vice president of Fidelity Bank, and as chairman of the Randolph County Republican Party.

[3] On November 3, 2020, Craven won the general election to stay in the state senate seat he was appointed to.