Mike Crapo

"Senator Crapo" redirects here. For the Michigan State Senate member, see Henry H. Crapo.

Mike Crapo
United States Senator from Idaho
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1999 Servingwith Jim Risch
Preceded by	Dirk Kempthorne
Chair of the Senate Banking Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Richard Shelby
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives from Idaho's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1993 –January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Richard H. Stallings
Succeeded by	Mike Simpson
37th President pro tempore of the Idaho Senate
In office 1988–1992
Preceded by	Jim Risch
Succeeded by	Jerry Twiggs
Member of the Idaho Senate from the 32nd district
In office December 1, 1984 –December 1, 1992
Succeeded by	Mel Richardson
Personal details
Born	Michael Dean Crapo (1951-05-20) May 20, 1951 (age 69) Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Susan Hasleton ​ (m. 1974)​
Children	5
Education	Brigham Young University (BA) Harvard University (JD)
Website	Senate website

Michael Dean Crapo ( /ˈkreɪpoʊ/ KRAY-poh; born May 20, 1951) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Idaho, a seat he was first elected to in 1998. A Republican, he previously served as the U.S. Representative for Idaho's 2nd congressional district from 1993 to 1999.

Born in Idaho Falls, Crapo is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Harvard Law School. He practiced law in his home city throughout the 1980s, while also maintaining an active role in local Republican politics. His brother Terry Crapo was majority leader in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1968 to 1972 and an influential political figure until his death from leukemia in 1982. After his brother's death, Crapo successfully ran for the Idaho Senate in 1984. Crapo served as Senate President pro tempore from 1988 to 1992.

Crapo was elected to an open seat in Congress in 1992, representing Idaho's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. After three terms in the House, he ran for the open seat in the U.S. Senate in 1998 when Dirk Kempthorne vacated it to run for Idaho Governor. Crapo was elected with 70% of the vote, and became the first Mormon to represent Idaho in the United States Senate. ^[1] In the 2004 election, he won 99% of the vote against his only opponent, write-in Democratic candidate Scott McClure. He was reelected again in 2010 with 71% of the vote, and again in 2016 with 66% of the vote.

Early life and education

Crapo was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the son of Melba (née Olsen) and George Lavelle Crapo. His brother Terry was 12 years older. ^[2] He is the first cousin, four times removed of Henry Howland Crapo, who served as Governor of Michigan from 1865 to 1869, second cousin, three times removed of William W. Crapo, Henry's son, who served as a congressman from Massachusetts, and third cousin, twice removed of William Crapo Durant, Henry's grandson, who founded General Motors. Their common ancestor is Private Peter Crapo (1743-1822), who served in the American Revolutionary War. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1969. He earned a B.A. in political science from Brigham Young University in 1973 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1977.

Early political career

Crapo in 1993

After graduating from law school, Crapo served for one year as a law clerk to Judge James M. Carter at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He then returned to Idaho to practice as a lawyer, joining his brother's law firm of Holden Kidwell Hahn & Crapo in Idaho Falls. In the 1980s, he became active in the Republican Party's campaigns for seats in the state legislature. His brother Terry Crapo served in Idaho House of Representatives for four years as majority leader (1968 to 1972) and was considered a rising star in Idaho politics. ^[3] Following his brother Terry's death from leukemia in 1982, Mike ran for an open seat in the Idaho Senate. He was elected to the State Senate in 1984, where he served until 1992. In 1988, Senate President pro tempore Jim Risch unexpectedly lost reelection to the Idaho Senate, and Crapo was elected by his colleagues to the president's position. He served as senate president pro tempore from 1988 to 1992.

On January 27, 1989 he served as acting governor of Idaho for 12 hours. Governor Cecil D. Andrus was out of the state testifying before Congress, and then-Lieutenant Governor Butch Otter was out of the state on business for his employer Simplot. Due to laws of succession, the president pro tempore is next in line. Andrus, a Democrat, left Crapo a note saying, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do. ... P.S. The chair is comfortable, isn't it?" ^[4]

Crapo was elected to Congress in 1992, representing Idaho's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He was elected to the House for a total of three terms from 1993 until 1999. He ran and won election to the U.S. Senate in 1998.

U.S. Senate

Elections

Crapo was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998, gaining the seat of Republican Dirk Kempthorne, who stepped down to run successfully for governor. In his Senate bid, as in his House campaigns, Crapo's campaign made signs that had a macron placed over the "a" in his name (Crāpo) to indicate its correct pronunciation ("Cray-poe").

He was re-elected in 2004 with 99.2% of the vote, with the other .8% going to a write-in candidate, Democrat Scott McClure. ^[5]

In November 2010, Crapo was re-elected to a third term with 71% of the vote, defeating Democratic Party challenger P. Tom Sullivan and Constitution Party candidate Randy Bergquist.

In November 2016, Crapo was re-elected to a fourth term with 66% of the vote, defeating Democratic Party challenger Jerry Sturgill and Constitution Party candidate Ray Writz. In October 2016, after the Donald Trump and Billy Bush recording came to light, Crapo said he would not be voting for the Republican presidential nominee. ^[6] He later reversed this decision and supported candidate Trump. ^[7]

Tenure

1990s

On February 12, 1999, Crapo was one of 50 senators to vote to convict and remove Bill Clinton from office. ^[8]

2000s

In the 111th Congress, Crapo served on the following Senate committees: Banking, Housing and Urban Development; Budget; Environment and Public Works; Indian Affairs; and Finance. He co-chairs the Senate Nuclear Caucus, the Canada-U.S. Inter-parliamentary Group (IPG); the COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Caucus, which he founded; and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.

Crapo became the state's senior senator when the 111th United States Congress convened on January 3, 2009, succeeding Larry Craig, who decided not to seek re-election. At the convening of the 112th United States Congress, Crapo is ranked 39th in seniority in the Senate.

He opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation, voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in December 2009, ^[9] and again voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. ^[10]

2010s

In April 2013, Crapo was one of forty-six senators to vote against the passing of a bill which would have expanded background checks for all gun buyers. He voted with 40 Republicans and 5 Democrats to stop the passage of the bill. The New York Times had predicted a 0% chance of Crapo voting for the bill. ^[11]

The New York Times noted that Crapo became "something of a hero among advocates of bipartisanship" for his involvement in the "Gang of Six". ^[12]

In 2017, Crapo was one of 22 senators to sign a letter ^[13] to President Donald Trump urging the President to have the United States withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

His view on senatorial responsibilities for Supreme Court nominees has evolved. Regarding President George Bush's 2006 nomination of Samuel Alito, Crapo said in a press release, "All of the President's nominees deserve up-and-down votes and not efforts to obstruct judicial nominees for political purposes. Judges are not politicians, and hopefully, Judge Alito's nomination will put an end to the politics which have crept into the nomination process." ^[14] But, in contrast in 2016, his press release regarding President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to replace the late Antonin Scalia said,

The Constitution gives the President the right to make nominations to the Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate. As part of its role in this process, the Senate may, at its discretion, withhold consent. The next Supreme Court justice will make decisions that affect every American and shape our nation's legal landscape for decades. Therefore, the current Supreme Court vacancy should be filled by an individual nominated by the next President of the United States. ^[15]

2020s

Later in September 2020, with less than two months to the next presidential election, Crapo voiced support for an immediate Senate vote on President Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by the death of justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, once a "well-qualified candidate" was put forth. ^[16]

Crapo was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College count when the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol happened. In response, Crapo called for "perpetrators" to be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." ^[17] Additionally, he opposed the removal Trump from office, stating that the "country is too divided" and that invoking the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution "would only make matters worse." ^[18]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (chair)
  • Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
  • Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Judiciary
• Committee on Finance
  • Subcommittee on Health Care
  • Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness
• Committee on Indian Affairs

Caucus memberships

• International Conservation Caucus
• Senate Diabetes Caucus
• Senate Nuclear Cleanup Caucus (co-chair)
• Senate Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus (co-chair)
• Sportsmen's Caucus (co-chair)
• Western Water Caucus
• Zero Capital Gains Tax Caucus
• Senate Republican Conference

Political positions

Crapo with Brigadier General Carmelo Burgio of Carabinieri in Afghanistan, 2010.

Abortion

Crapo is pro-life. In 1998, he supported a bill that made it illegal for minors to cross state lines to get abortions in order to avoid parental consent laws. ^[19] In 2009, he voted to restrict UN funding for population control policies. ^[20]

Gun law

In 2012, Crapo stated that he disagreed that more gun control regulations would curb violence in the United States. He also stated that he supported efforts to improve mental health access rather than more gun laws. ^[21]

As of 2013, Crapo had an "A+" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for his positive voting record on causes supported by the NRA. That same year, Crapo joined 12 other Senators stating he would filibuster any attempts by Democrats to introduce additional gun control regulations in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. ^[22] Additionally, Crapo supported legislation to make open carry legal in National Parks. ^[23]

In January 2017, the NRA praised Crapo for introducing the Hearing Protection Act, which would make access to gun silencers easier. ^[24]

In response to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Crapo called for "solidarity" and praised first responders. Additionally, he stated "May we unite in the fight against evil with an ever-vigilant drive toward peace." ^[25] The Hearing Protection Act bill was tabled in wake of the shooting. ^[26]

Personal life

Crapo married Susan Diane Hasleton in June 1974, and the couple had five children together. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ^[27]

Crapo was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999 and underwent a radical prostatectomy in January 2000. He had a full recovery and was declared cancer-free at that time. He had a recurrence in 2005 of prostate cancer, and he underwent a series of radiation treatments. He has become active in advocating early detection tests for cancer and other treatable diseases. Crapo has also pushed to create a federal Office of Men's Health. ^[28]

Crapo is an Eagle Scout, awarded in 1966. He received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) in 2000.

Drunk driving arrest

Crapo was arrested on December 23, 2012, for DUI after running a red light in Alexandria, Virginia, at around 12:45 am EST. He failed field sobriety tests, registering a blood alcohol content of 0.11 percent. ^{[29] [30]} Hours after his arrest, Crapo issued a public apology for his behavior. ^[31] Various Idaho media outlets were critical of Crapo's arrest, particularly in light of the temperance beliefs of his religion. ^{[32] [33]}

On January 4, 2013, Crapo pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge and received the standard punishment for a first-time offender in Virginia: $250 fine and court costs, one-year suspension of his driver's license, and court-ordered alcohol education and awareness classes. He successfully completed all. Following his court appearance, Crapo held a news conference outside the Alexandria courthouse, again apologizing and providing a more complete explanation regarding his actions as well as his intention to regain the trust of Idahoans. ^[34]

Electoral history

Republican primary results ^[35]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Crapo	110,205	87.27%
	Republican	Matt Lambert	16,075	12.73%
Total votes			126,280	100.00%

General election results ^[36]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Crapo	262,966	69.54%	+13.01%
	Democratic	Bill Mauk	107,375	28.39%	-15.08%
	Natural Law	George J. Mansfeld	7,833	2.07%
Majority			155,591	41.14%	+28.10%
Turnout			378,174
	Republican hold		Swing

Republican Party primary results ^[37]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Crapo (Incumbent)	118,286	100.00%
Total votes			118,286	100.00%

United States Senate election in Idaho, 2004 ^[38]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Crapo (Incumbent)	499,796	99.18%	+29.64%
	Democratic	Scott F. McClure (write-in)	4,136	0.82%
Majority			495,660	98.36%	+57.22%
Total votes			503,932	100.0%	+125,578
	Republican hold

Republican Primary results ^[39]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Crapo (Incumbent)	127,332	79.3%
	Republican	Claude "Skip" Davis	33,150	20.7%
Total votes			160,482	100.0%

United States Senate election in Idaho, 2010 ^[40]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Michael Crapo (Incumbent)	319,953	71.19%	-27.99%
	Democratic	Tom Sullivan	112,057	24.93%	N/A
	Constitution	Randy Bergquist	17,429	3.88%	N/A
Majority			207,896	46.26%
Total votes			449,439	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

Republican primary results ^[41]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Crapo(Incumbent)	119,633	100.00%
Total votes			119,633	100.00%

United States Senate election in Idaho, 2016 ^[42]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Crapo (incumbent)	449,017	66.13%	-5.06%
	Democratic	Jerry Sturgill	188,249	27.73%	+2.80%
	Constitution	Ray J. Writz	41,677	6.14%	+2.26%
Total votes			678,943	100.0%	N/A
	Republican hold

References

1. "Mormon Has Good Chance At Senate Seat Republican Rep. Crapo Would Be First Lds Member From Idaho To Win". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
2. "1".
4. "Lewiston Morning Tribune - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
5. "2004 General Results statewide". www.sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
6. Scott, Eugene (October 8, 2016). "Crapo, Ayotte pull support for Trump". CNN. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
7. KIM, SEUNG MIN (October 24, 2016). "Crapo ditches Trump un-endorsement". Politico. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
8. "Roll Call of Votes on Articles of Impeachment". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 12, 1999. Archived from the original on January 6, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
9. "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111th Congress - 1st Session". www.senate.gov.
10. "U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records". Senate.gov . Retrieved 2010-08-29.
11. Silver, Nate (April 18, 2013). "Modeling the Senate's Vote on Gun Control". The New York Times.
12. Weisman, Jonathan (20 July 2012). "Tax Loopholes Block Efforts to Close Gaping U.S. Deficit". New York Times. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
13. Inhofe, James. "Senator" . Retrieved 7 June 2017.
14. "Crapo Comments on Alito Vote | U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho". www.crapo.senate.gov.
15. "Crapo Statement on Supreme Court Nominee | U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho". www.crapo.senate.gov.
16. Desjardins, Lisa (September 22, 2020). "What every Republican senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year". PBS NewsHour . Retrieved September 27, 2020.
17. Brasil, Jake (8 January 2021). "Long-time historian weighs in on future of Republican Party". KMVT. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
18. Northrup, Craig (8 January 2021). "Crapo wont support any process to remove Trump". Bonners Ferry Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
19. Wickline, Michael R. "Craig, Crapo back abortion travel ban; Measure would penalize those who take minors out of state for procedure". The Lewiston Tribune. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
20. "Michael Crapo on Abortion". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
21. Barnhill, Frankie. "Idaho Senator Says Gun Control Won't Resolve Culture Of Violence". Boise State Public Radio. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
22. Pilkington, Ed; Yuhas, Alan (9 April 2013). "Meet the 13 Republican senators vowing to block a gun control law". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
23. Stuckey, Mike (24 July 2008). "Showdown over packing heat in national parks". MSNBC. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
24. "NRA Applauds Senator Crapo on Introduction of Hearing Protection Act". NRA-ILA. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
25. Price, Mike (2 October 2017). "Idaho lawmakers release statements on Las Vegas shooting | East Idaho News". East Idaho News. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
26. Johnson, Dean. "Debate over gun control reignites". KTVB. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
27. "Mike Crapo Bio". obamatwits.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
28. "Sen. Mike Crapo". National Journal Almanac. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
29. "DUI charge: Jan. 4 court date for Idaho Sen. Crapo". Seattle PI. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
30. "Sen. Michael Crapo arrested on DUI in Virginia". Political Eye. CBS News. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
31. Kim, Seung Min (December 23, 2012). "Crapo apologizes after DUI arrest". Politico. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
32. "U.S. senator Mike Crapo pleads guilty to DWI charge". klewtv.com. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
33. "Sen. Crapo's DUI bust is latest Idaho politician scandal". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
34. Flaherty, Mary Pat (January 4, 2013). "Sen. Michael Crapo sentenced on DWI charge, apologizes" . Retrieved 2020-09-16.
35. http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/abstract/98prsen.htm
36. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1998/98Stat.htm
37. http://www.sos.idaho.gov/ELECT/RESULTS/2004/primary/tot_stwd.htm
38. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004/2004Stat.htm#12
39. "Idaho US Senate Primary Results". Associated Press. May 25, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
40. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
41. "Official Primary Election Statewide Totals". Idaho Secretary of State. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
42. "Nov 08, 2016 General Election Results". Idaho Secretary of State. Retrieved December 19, 2016.

Further reading

• Anatomy of a Press Release, editorial, Times-News (Idaho) , October 10, 2011

External links

Media related to Mike Crapo at Wikimedia Commons

• Senator Mike Crapo official U.S. Senate website
• Mike Crapo for Senate
• Mike Crapo at Curlie
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Richard Stallings	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 2nd congressional district 1993–1999	Succeeded by Mike Simpson
Party political offices
Preceded by Dirk Kempthorne	Republican nominee for U.S. senator from Idaho (Class 3) 1998, 2004, 2010, 2016	Most recent
Preceded by Richard Burr	Senate Republican Chief Deputy Whip 2013–present	Incumbent
U.S. Senate
Preceded by Dirk Kempthorne	U.S. senator (Class 3) from Idaho 1999–present Served alongside: Larry Craig, Jim Risch	Incumbent
Preceded by Richard Shelby	Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee 2013–2015	Succeeded by Sherrod Brown
	Chair of the Senate Banking Committee 2017–present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Chuck Schumer	United States senators by seniority 13th	Succeeded by Tom Carper