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About
Michael Dean Crapo, commonly known as Mike Crapo, is an American lawyer and Republican politician who has served as the senior United States Senator from Idaho since 1999. Born on May 20, 1951, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Crapo grew up in a devout Latter-day Saint family and developed an early interest in public service. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Brigham Young University in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1978. Following his legal education, Crapo practiced law in his hometown and became involved in local politics, serving in the Idaho State Senate from 1985 to 1992. His entry into national politics came in 1993 when he was elected to represent Idaho's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 1999.
In the Senate, Crapo has established himself as a key figure on financial and economic policy matters. He chairs the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and previously served as Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, with a focus on tax policy and financial regulation. Crapo is known for his conservative stance on tax policy, advocating for tax cuts and deregulation, and has been a vocal supporter of free-market principles. He has received significant support from lobbying groups such as Americans for Prosperity. His legislative focus includes reforming financial regulations post-2008 crisis and opposing expansive government spending. Crapo is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and resides primarily in Washington, D.C., with ties to Idaho.
Throughout his career, Crapo has maintained a reputation for fiscal conservatism and has been involved in high-profile debates on healthcare, energy, and trade. He endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election and has been criticized by progressives for his opposition to the Affordable Care Act and environmental regulations. Despite a 2014 DUI arrest in Virginia, for which he pleaded guilty and completed community service, Crapo has continued to win re-election comfortably in Idaho, reflecting his strong base among conservative voters.