37 Facts About Larry Craig

Lawrence Edwin Craig was born on July 20,1945 and is an American retired politician from the state of Idaho.

Larry Craig attended the University of Idaho, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the university in 1969, and later briefly attended George Washington University before returning to Washington County in 1971 to work in his family's ranching business.

Larry Craig won reelection four times before running for the US Senate in 1990, defeating Ron J Twilegar in the general election and winning reelection in 1996 and 2002.

Larry Craig later reversed this decision and chose to finish the remainder of his term, although he did not seek re-election in 2008.

Larry Craig was born in Council, Idaho, the son of Dorothy Lenore and Elvin Oren Larry Craig.

Larry Craig grew up on a ranch outside Midvale in Washington County.

Larry Craig pursued graduate studies at George Washington University before returning to his family's Midvale ranching business in 1971.

Larry Craig was a member of the Idaho Army National Guard from 1970 to 1972, attaining the rank of Private First Class, after which he received an honorable discharge.

Larry Craig married Suzanne Scott in July 1983 and adopted the three children she had from a previous marriage.

Larry Craig was elected to the Idaho Senate in 1974 and reelected in 1976 and 1978.

In 1980, Larry Craig was elected to an open seat in the US House of Representatives, representing Idaho's 1st Congressional District.

Larry Craig succeeded Republican Steve Symms, who was leaving the House to run for election to the Senate against incumbent Democrat Frank Church.

Larry Craig was not a major force as a legislator during his time in the House.

Larry Craig defeated Idaho Attorney General Jim Jones in the Republican primary.

In 1995, Larry Craig formed a barbershop quartet called The Singing Senators with Senators Trent Lott, John Ashcroft, and Jim Jeffords.

Larry Craig was reelected in 1996, with 57 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Walt Minnick.

Larry Craig was reelected again in the 2002 election with 65 percent of the vote, when he spent $3.2 million to defeat Alan Blinken.

In 1999, Larry Craig became sharply critical of US President Bill Clinton for the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Larry Craig served as Senate Republican Policy Committee chairman from 1997 until 2003.

Larry Craig then became chairman of the Special Committee on Aging.

Larry Craig served as the ranking member of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.

Amid the controversy surrounding his arrest, in August 2007 Larry Craig stepped aside as ranking member on the Veterans' Affairs Committee and two subcommittees.

Larry Craig is a longtime advocate for a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.

In May 2003, Larry Craig put a hold on more than 200 Air Force promotions in an attempt to pressure the Air Force to station four new C-130 cargo planes in Idaho, saying he received a commitment from the Air Force almost seven years earlier that the planes would be delivered.

Defense Department officials said the reason the C-130s had not been sent to Idaho was that no new aircraft were being manufactured for the type of transport mission done by the Idaho Air National Guard unit where Larry Craig wanted the planes delivered.

On June 26,2007, Larry Craig reiterated his support for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007.

On December 16,2005, Larry Craig voted against a cloture motion filed relative to the USA PATRIOT Act; the motion ultimately earned only 52 votes, and so a Democratic filibuster against extension of the act was allowed to continue.

On December 21,2005, Larry Craig backed a six-month extension of the Act while further negotiations took place.

On February 9,2006, Craig announced an agreement among himself, the White House, and fellow Senators John E Sununu, Arlen Specter, Lisa Murkowski, Chuck Hagel and Richard Durbin to reauthorize the Act.

Larry Craig supported the Federal Marriage Amendment, which barred extension of rights to same-sex couples; he voted for cloture on the amendment in both 2004 and 2006, and was a cosponsor in 2008.

Larry Craig was charged with interference with privacy, a gross misdemeanor offense, and a disorderly conduct misdemeanor.

At a news conference on September 1,2007, Larry Craig announced his intent to resign, "with sadness and deep regret", effective September 30,2007.

On September 4,2007, a spokesperson for Larry Craig indicated that he was reconsidering his decision to resign, if his conviction was rapidly overturned and his committee assignments were restored.

Larry Craig was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor and former Governor Jim Risch.

Larry Craig was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame in 2007.

Larry Craig has served as a member of the board of directors of the National Rifle Association of America.

In 2014, Larry Craig was the Idaho Republican Party financial chair.