As Senate President he helped push for funding of the Polk Parkway, created the largest transportation funding act in the state's history and guided the approval of a land preservation program that has since protected thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive land.

[3] A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Winter Haven and the surrounding areas in the House and Senate.

[4] Crawford was known for working across party lines to increase funding for economic development, education and research at Shands Hospital.

[3] In 2000, he was named executive director of the Florida Citrus Commission, approved by a board which The Ledger noted was largely composed individuals appointed by Bush.

[3] In 2004, Crawford came under scrutiny by the state legislature for his leadership of the commission, citing concerns over the organization's handling of contracts, as well as his decision to charge business class flights to the Florida Department of Citrus without prior approval.