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Craig Joins Lott In Leading Senate Idahoan Rises To No. 4 Position In Senate Republican Leadership

Ken Olsen The Associated Press Contributed To This Staff writer

As expected, Mississippi Republican Trent Lott was selected Wednesday to follow Bob Dole as Senate majority leader.

Sen. Larry Craig, meanwhile, became only the second politician in Idaho history to rise to a Senate leadership position. He was elected to the No. 4 job - chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee - after two ballots.

Craig edged out fellow conservatives Don Coats of Indiana and Robert Bennett of Utah. The final vote came down to 30 votes for Craig and 22 for Coats.

The only other Idahoan to make it to the Senate’s leadership circle was Jim McClure, who was Senate Republican conference leader from 1981 to 1984.

Craig’s new position involves developing policies for Senate Republicans, persuading Republicans to speak with a unified voice on major issues and issuing position papers. The post also involves holding a weekly policy luncheon.

“One of my highest priorities is to bring the Republicans in the Senate together to work on a solid, winning Republican agenda,” Craig said. “I am humbled my peers have entrusted me with this role.”

Craig’s new job begins immediately. He relinquishes his duties as chairman of the steering committee, an informal group of conservative senators.

Lott, 54, is a Newt Gingrich ally. He easily defeated fellow Mississippi Republican Sen. Thad Cochran for the top Senate post.

U.S. Sen. Don Nickles of Oklahoma, meanwhile, landed Lott’s job as majority whip. Nickles was unopposed.

Cochran will remain as GOP conference chairman. Two others kept their jobs - Sen. Connie Mack of Florda as conference secretary and Sen. Alfonse D’Amato of New York as campaign committee chairman.

Wednesday’s election signals a continuing conservative trend in Senate leadership.

Democrats, expectedly, are making maximum mileage out of it.

“The Republican Party is now completely led by extremists,” said liberal Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. “The Senate is about to become a replica of Newt’s House.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Ken Olsen Staff writer The Associated Press contributed to this report.