Larry Craig

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Larry Craig

Larry Craig AKA Larry Edwin Craig

Born: 20-Jul-1945
Birthplace: Council, ID

Gender: Male
Religion: Methodist
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Matter of Dispute [1]
Occupation: Politician
Party Affiliation: Republican [2]

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: US Senator from Idaho, 1990-2009

Military service: US Army National Guard (1970-74)

Larry Craig was a U.S. Senator from Idaho who was arrested for "lewd conduct" in the men's room of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on 11 June 2007. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of "disorderly conduct", was fined "more than $500" and received a 10-day jail sentence (suspended) and a year of probation.

Craig has long been rumored to be gay, and he has always denied the rumors. After his conviction, Sen Craig called a press conference, which he opened by thanking reporters "for coming out today", and went on to repeatedly reiterate, "I am not gay, I never have been gay." After several days as the butt of comedians' jokes and fellow Republicans' criticisms, Craig announced he would resign from the Senate at the end of the month. Yet as September passed he began weighing his options, and rescinded his resignation, and tried unsuccessfully to withdraw his guilty plea. He served out his Senate term but did not run for re-election, and left office in January 2009.

Craig had a virtually 100% anti-gay record in the Senate, consistently voting against equal rights legislation, gays in the military, hate crime penalties for crimes against homosexuals, civil unions, and gay marriage.

[1] A long-time outspoken conservative, Larry Craig was "outed" by gay activist Mike Rogers. Rogers has not revealed his sources, and Craig denies the claim. On 17 October 2006, Rogers wrote in his blog, "I have done extensive research into this case, including trips to the Pacific Northwest to meet with men who have say they have physical relations with the Senator. I have also met with a man here in Washington, D.C., who says the same -- and that these incidents occurred in the bathrooms of Union Station. None of these men know each other, or knew that I was talking to others. They all reported similar personal characteristics about the Senator, which lead me to believe, beyond any doubt, that their stories are valid." At a press conference on 28 August 2007, Craig insisted: "I am not gay. I never have been gay."

[2] Senate liaison for Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign, Feburary to August 2007.

Wife: Suzanne Thompson (three children, adopted from her previous marriage)
Son: Mike (stepson)
Son: Jay (stepson)
Daughter: Shae (stepdaughter)

High School: Midvale High School, Midvale, ID
University: BA Political Science, University of Idaho (1969)
University: George Washington University

New West Strategies LLC Founder, Lobbyist (2009-)
US Senator, Idaho (3-Jan-1990 to 3-Jan-2009)
US Congressman, Idaho 1st (3-Jan-1980 to 3-Jan-1990)
Idaho State Senate (1974-80)
4-H Club
Close Up Foundation Board of Advisors
Defenders of Property Rights Board of Advisors
Future Farmers of America National VP (1966-67)
Leadership Institute Bi-Partisan Congressional Advisory Board
National Rifle Association Board of Directors
National Wilderness Institute National Advisory Board
Romney for President Senate liaison (2007)
Washington Legal Foundation National Board of Advisors
Delta Chi Fraternity
House Banking Scandal 9 overdrawn checks
Funeral: Richard Nixon (1994)
Disorderly Conduct 11-Jun-2007 (men's restroom, guilty plea, $1000 fine)
Assisted by the ACLU (17-Sep-2007)
Risk Factors: Former Smoker

Official Website:
http://craig.senate.gov/

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