Larry Craig facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Larry Craig
Official portrait, 2010
United States Senator from Idaho
In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Jim McClure
Succeeded by	Jim Risch
Chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Arlen Specter
Succeeded by	Daniel Akaka
Chair of the Senate Aging Committee
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	John Breaux
Succeeded by	Gordon H. Smith
In office January 20, 2001 – June 6, 2001
Preceded by	John Breaux
Succeeded by	John Breaux
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 1st district
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Steve Symms
Succeeded by	Larry LaRocco
Member of the Idaho Senate from the 10th district
In office 1974–1980
Succeeded by	Roger Fairchild
Personal details
Born	Lawrence Edwin Craig (1945-07-20) July 20, 1945 (age 79) Council, Idaho, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Suzanne Thompson
Education	University of Idaho (BA)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1970–1972
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	Army National Guard  • Idaho

Lawrence Edwin Craig (born July 20, 1945) is a retired American politician. He served in the United States Senate representing Idaho from 1991 to 2009. Before that, he was in the U.S. House of Representatives for Idaho's 1st District from 1981 to 1991.

Craig is a member of the Republican Party. He spent 28 years working in the U.S. Congress. This makes him the second-longest serving person from Idaho in Congress. Only William Borah served longer.

Early Life and Education

Larry Craig was born on July 20, 1945, in Council, Idaho. He grew up on a ranch near Midvale, Idaho in Washington County, Idaho. In 1969, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied political science at the University of Idaho.

While at the University of Idaho, he was the student body president. He also briefly attended George Washington University. In 1971, he returned to his family's ranching business. From 1970 to 1972, Craig served in the Idaho Army National Guard. He reached the rank of Private First Class.

In 1983, Larry Craig married Suzanne Scott. He adopted her three children from a previous marriage. Through his adopted children, he has nine grandchildren.

Political Career in Idaho

Larry Craig began his political journey in Idaho. He was elected to the Idaho Senate in 1974. He won reelection two more times, serving until 1980.

In 1980, Craig ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the election for Idaho's 1st Congressional District. He served in the House until 1991. During his time there, he supported President Ronald Reagan's efforts. These efforts aimed to expand vocational education programs.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Senator Larry Craig with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz at The Pentagon on December 13, 2002.

Craig with Rick Santorum, Frank Murkowski, and Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2001

In 1990, Larry Craig decided to run for the United States Senate. He won the election with 61 percent of the votes. He was reelected in 1996 and again in 2002.

In 1995, Senator Craig joined three other senators. They formed a barbershop quartet called The Singing Senators.

Craig held important leadership roles in the Senate. He was the chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 1997 to 2003. After that, he chaired the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging. He also served on committees dealing with veterans' affairs and energy.

Craig was a strong supporter of a balanced budget amendment. This amendment would require the government to spend only what it takes in. He also worked on issues related to immigration. He supported programs for guest workers in agriculture.

In 2006, Craig made all his "earmarks" public. Earmarks are specific funds added to spending bills for certain projects. He posted them on his Senate website.

Craig was also a longtime member of the board of directors for the National Rifle Association of America. He joined the board in 1983.

Important Senate Committees

During his time in the Senate, Larry Craig served on several key committees:

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
  • Subcommittee on Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and Children's Health Protection
  • Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health
• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
  • Subcommittee on Water and Power
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs
• Special Committee on Aging

Later Career and Public Life

In 2007, the Idaho Hall of Fame Association inducted Larry Craig. Many politicians were inducted into the Hall of Fame during that time.

In August 2007, Senator Craig faced a public incident. He pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct and paid fines. This event received a lot of public attention. Craig initially announced he would resign from the Senate. However, he later changed his mind. He decided to finish his term but chose not to run for reelection in 2008.

The bathroom at the Minneapolis–St. Paul airport where a 2007 incident occurred.

After leaving the Senate in 2009, Craig started a consulting firm. It was called New West Strategies. He worked as a lobbyist, focusing on energy issues. The firm closed in 2019. In 2014, a court ordered Craig to repay campaign funds. These funds were used for legal defense related to the 2007 incident.

Election History

1988 Idaho 1st District United States Congressional Election

1986 Idaho 1st District United States Congressional Election

1984 Idaho 1st District United States Congressional Election

1982 Idaho 1st District United States Congressional Election

1980 Idaho 1st District United States Congressional Election

Images for kids

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  Larry Craig's signature

See also

In Spanish: Larry Craig para niños