Craig, Larry Edwin (1945-…), a Republican, represented Idaho in the United States Senate from 1991 to 2009. In September 2007, news reports revealed Craig had pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in June of that year. The reports generated much controversy, and Craig later chose not to seek reelection to the Senate in 2008.
As a senator, Craig defended the interests of ranchers and miners and opposed many environmental laws. Craig urged Congress to protect U.S. economic interests when addressing global warming, an increase in the average temperature of Earth’s surface since the mid-1800’s. He served on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association and opposed gun-control measures in the Senate. He favored a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget.
Craig took a conservative stance on many social issues, opposing legalized abortion and same-sex marriage. He served as Senate cochair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.
Craig was born in Council, Idaho, on July 20, 1945. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho in 1969.
From 1974 to 1980, Craig worked as a farmer and rancher and served in the Idaho state Senate. In 1980, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1981 to 1991. Craig was elected to his first term in the Senate in 1990 and took office in 1991.
