There's historical precedent in Idaho for a governor appointing a replacement for a U.S. senator who resigns – and doing it quickly. In 1921, John F. Nugent, a Democrat, resigned from his Senate seat. The very next day, Gov. D.W. Davis appointed Frank Gooding, who like Davis was a Republican. You can read my full story here about the history in today’s Spokesman-Review.

But Jon Hanian, Gov. Butch Otter’s press secretary, said today that Otter is in no rush to name Craig’s replacement. Since Craig’s resignation isn’t effective until Sept. 30, he has some time. “Certainly not this Labor Day weekend,” Hanian said. “I don’t expect that’s going to happen for a while.”

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