Sen. Craig is reconsidering his decision to resign

In a stunning turn of events, Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) is reconsidering his decision to resign after the revelation of his June arrest in an airport sex sting, his spokesman said late Tuesday night.

While Craig’s aides still are preparing as if he will leave office at month’s end, the senator is examining a challenge to his guilty plea in Minnesota court that could alter his plans to step down, Craig spokesman Sidney Smith told the Associated Press. Craig has hired a top-flight legal team to handle his Minnesota legal case as well as a looming Senate ethics investigation.

Should Craig choose to remain in the Senate, his continued presence would be a major distraction to Republican leaders, who sought a quick resignation announcement in response to the avalanche of coverage that Craig’s arrest received. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said as recently as Tuesday afternoon that he believed Craig’s decision to step down was final, although Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R-Pa.) support for the Idahoan is believed to be a leading factor behind the reconsidered resignation.