Craig Schelske

Craig Lyons Schelske (May 29, 1963-) is an American politician who was a candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives in 2002. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early life and career
Schelske was born in Salem, Oregon and raised in Jefferson, where his family farmed. Schelske is the third oldest of seven children; he has four brothers and two sisters. His early life was one filled with adventure, perseverance, risk taking, and overcoming what often seemed to be insurmountable odds. Schelske learned hard work through farming. He learned to hunt, fish, play football, and developed talents that included singing and playing several instruments.
Schelske and his youngest brother, Chris, formed a band called the North Santiam Band. The brothers began writing and performing locally. They were not your typical Country music band. The Schelske brothers took their band and music to the rock clubs and played for tips on Sunday and Monday nights. It was a high-risk business, but soon the word got out and they found themselves performing for crowds that looked more like they had just come from a Poison concert. They also made inroads with the college crowds at the universities after three years of playing out and opening for such icons as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Exile, and the Gatlin Brothers.
Sara Evans
In the fall of 1991, Schelske met Sara Evans, who was pursuing a recording deal in Nashville, Tennessee. They became involved and Schelske decided to put his own dreams on hold to utilize his skills and talents to help and manage Evans. The pair married in 1993 and began working with contacts in Portland, Oregon in 1995 to produce a demo and market Evans to the music industry.
Schelske and Evans returned to Nashville in 1996. Within nine months she had a record deal with RCA Records. Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard was impressed by her demo of his song "Tiger by the Tail". Schelske became Evans' manager and assisted her throughout her career which led to much success, over 5 #1 Billboard singles, and gold and platinum albums.
Politics
In 2002, Schelske decided to run for a congressional seat in his home state of Oregon. Although his first run was unsuccessful, Schelske had earned a place as a significant political personality. Schelske then went back to work and started his own political action committee and earned a master's degree in public policy which he completed in 2004.
Divorce controversy
On October 26, 2006, Evans left Dancing with the Stars, citing personal reasons and decided to file for divorce from Schelske. Evans hired a high-profile divorce attorney, John Hollins, Sr., of Hollins, Wagster, Yarbrough, and Weatherly & Raybin PC of Nashville, Tennessee. Hollins had represented other celebrities such as Trisha Yearwood and Lee Ann Womack during their divorces.
On February 25, 2010, Evans obtained a restraining order against Schelske. Documents say Schelske is not allowed to make any statements about Evans or her divorce attorney to the media or make allegations about what led to their divorce.
People magazine
Within six months of the much publicized divorce filing Schelske filed a slander lawsuit against John Hollins, Sr. seeking damages in the amount of $10,000,000 after a statement was made to People claiming Hollins had obtained photographs of Schelske showing him in various sexual scenarios with women other than his ex-wife. On March 28, 2011 Evans' divorce attorney surrendered and settled with Schelske for an undisclosed amount and issued a public apology letter.

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