Charles Richard "Dick" Cranwell (born July 26, 1942) is an American lawyer and Democratic Party politician.

Cranwell was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1972, sharing the multi-member 8th district (Craig and Roanoke Counties and the city of Salem) with Republican Raymond Robrecht.

He won election in the new 14th district, made up of pieces of Craig, Roanoke and Bedford Counties.

Cranwell lost to Tom Moss of Norfolk for the Democratic Caucus nomination to succeed Philpott.

[1][8][9] Republicans gained parity with Democrats in the House after the 1997 elections, part of a Republican sweep driven by gubernatorial candidate Jim Gilmore's campaign promise to eliminate the personal property tax on automobiles.

[10] While the Democrats retained nominal majority caucus status and Moss remained Speaker, committee chairs were shared between the two parties, and Republican Harry Parrish became Finance co-chair with Cranwell.