Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), a critic of salmon preservation efforts in the Pacific Northwest and a defender of a judicial nominee who was unanimously opposed by tribes, won't resign from the Senate after all.
In August, Craig pleaded guilty for a "lewd conduct" incident at a Minnesota airport. After news of the incident surfaced later that month, said he would resign and let the state's governor appoint a replacement.
A few days later, he changed his mind and said he would challenge his guilty plea. He indicated he would resign by September 30 if he was unable to change his plea.
But even though a judge in Minnesota has refused the request, Craig changed his position. He plans to serve until the end of his term in January 2009.
Craig has already been stripped of his senior positions on the Interior Appropriations subcommittee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a key Environment and Public Works subcommittee.
He used his positions to try to stop funding for programs that benefit tribal salmon and to defend an appeals court nominee who favored the industry over tribes.
Get the Story:Despite Court Defeat, Craig Vows to Remain in Senate (The Washington Post 10/5)
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Guilty Plea Stands, but Craig Won’t Quit Senate (The New York Times 10/5)
pwnyt Relevant Links:
Sen. Larry Craig - http://craig.senate.gov Related Stories:
Column: Sen. Craig no friend to tribes, environment (8/31)
Sen. Craig stripped of committee leadership (8/30)
Sen. Craig, salmon critic, guilty in airport incident (8/28)
9th Circuit saves salmon center from Republican rider (01/30)
Idaho senator kills salmon counting center (11/30)
Idaho senator inserts rider to kill salmon counting (06/24)
Democrats scuttle another Bush court nominee (7/21)
Bush judicial nominee blasted by Democrats (2/6)
