Sen. Craig resigns

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) resigned on Saturday, bowing to intense pressure from within his own party to avoid further political fallout from the once-powerful conservative’s guilty plea to disorderly conduct and alleged sexual solicitation.

"I am proud of my record and accomplishments," Craig said in Boise with his family and leading state Republicans by his side. But he added that he could not continue to serve without being a "distraction" and announced that he would resign effective September 30.

{mosads}Expectations that Craig would step down grew steadily since Tuesday, when the senator denied acting inappropriately during his June arrest in a Minneapolis airport restroom. Craig’s apology for the “mistake” of pleading guilty to a lesser charge without consulting his family, a lawyer or GOP leaders had led to growing calls for his resignation from fellow Republicans.

Senior Senate Republicans requested an ethics committee probe of Craig’s actions in Minneapolis and stripped his committee seniority soon afterward. GOP leaders avoided calling directly for Craig to resign this week, but National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (R-Nev.) made a strong suggestion to the Associated Press late Thursday.

“I wouldn’t put myself hopefully in that kind of position,” Ensign said of Craig, “but if I was in a position like that, [stepping down is] what I would do.”

Idaho state law gives Gov. Butch Otter (R) the power to appoint a replacement for Craig, who would remain in office until the senior senator’s term expires next year. Even before the scandal of his arrest unfolded, Republicans had begun bracing for Craig to retire rather than seek reelection.

Former Idaho Gov. Jim Risch (R), who accepted the lieutenant governor’s post when former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R) resigned to become Interior Secretary, is reportedly eyeing a bid for Craig’s seat. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) is also in the mix for a Senate appointment, though Idaho political observers had expected the House appropriator to forgo a Senate run.