Prior to entering politics, he was a human resource manager with the Scottish Office. Crawford served as councillor for Kinross on Perth and Kinross District Council from 1988 to 1996 and on Perth and Kinross Council from 1995 to 2001. Crawford was also Leader of Perth and Kinross Council from 1995 to 1999.
He was elected to the Scottish Parliament to represent Mid Scotland and Fife at the 1999 election.
He was re-elected in 2003. He ran John Swinney"s campaign to be re-elected as Scottish National Party National Convenor when he was challenged by Doctor Bill Wilson in late 2003.
At the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, Crawford gained the Stirling seat from the Labour Party. Following the adoption of a new constitution by the Scottish National Party in 2004, Crawford was appointed as the Scottish National Party"s Business Convener.
After the Scottish National Party"s victory at the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, Crawford became the Minister for Parliamentary Business.
Crawford is married to Jacqueline and they have three sons. Government Minister
Crawford was appointed to the junior ministerial position of Minister for Parliamentary Business following the election of the Scottish National Party minority government following the 2007 general election. On 19 May 2011 he became the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy, departing from this role on 5 September 2012.