Senator Michael Dean Crapo is an American politician and lawyer. He is serving as a senior U.S. Senator from Idaho under the Republicans since 1999. He has served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999.
Crapo was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on May 20, 1951. He graduated with a B.A. in political science at Brigham Young University in 1973. He proceeded to earn a J.D. at Harvard University’s law school in 1977.
Senator Mike Crapo Career
Crapo started his political career after graduating from Harvard. He worked as a law clerk with Judge James Carter at the U.S. Courts of Appeal in 1977. He returned to Idaho in 1979 to continue his legal career after practicing in California.
After his brother died in 1982, Crapo ran for a seat at the Idaho state senate and won. He was re-elected in 1984. In 1989, Crapo served as the acting governor of Idaho for 12 hours. After his tenure in the Idaho Senate, Crapo won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. He served thrice from 1993 to 1999.
In 1998, Crapo was elected to the U.S. Senate after Senator Dirk Kempthorne stepped down to contest for governor. He was re-elected in 2004 with 99.2% votes over Democratic candidate Scott McClure. He won again in 2010 and 2016.
Senator Mike Crapo Accomplishments
Considered politically conservative, Crapo has been supporting the free-market policies that bolster economic growth. His administration also fosters tax reform laws, increased access to quality and affordable healthcare.
His position on gun laws earned him an A+ grade from the National Rifle Association. He believes imposing stricter gun control laws cannot curb violence in the country. Senator Mike Crapo also joined 12 senators that vowed to filibuster any attempt to introduce any new gun regulations.
He is an anti-abortion advocator. He also supported the bill to prevent minors from crossing inter-state lines for abortion.
Senator Mike Crapo has been involved in protecting Idaho’s vast environment and natural resources. He has also led nuclear-related proposals and the Endangered Species Act.
He also served as a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. He has worked relentlessly to extend the marketing of Idaho’s agriculture and timber industry. His administration also focused on rural development, conservation of natural resources, and general forestry and agriculture promotion.
Crapo has given Idaho a strong voice in legislation on tax policy, healthcare programs, and the implementation of foreign trade agreements. He has also promoted the stability of the financial system and responsible lending to families and businesses to boost the Idaho economy.
Senator Mike Crapo Criticisms
The Campaign for Accountability, a watchdog group based in Washington, D.C., criticized Crapo for several other campaign finance matters. Allegations include his free use of a lobbyist’s Washington, D.C., condo for 81 campaign events, over which the group filed an FEC complaint in 2018.
In 2012, Senator Mike Crapo was arrested after running a red light in Virginia. Besides a blood alcohol content of 0.11%, Crapo failed sobriety tests. But, he issued a public apology for his behavior and pleaded guilty in 2013.