Idaho Legislature

Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell.

BOISE -- The list of names to replace U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, is growing.

State Sen. John McGee, a Caldwell Republican, is interested in the position, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said Friday.

In addition to McGee, Republicans Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, former Lt. Gov. Dave Leroy and former state lawmaker Dane Watkins are also being considered for the post.

Mark Warbis, Otter's spokesman, says, "It's not a short list. It's just a list of people."

Craig, 62, was arrested June 11 in a Minneapolis airport bathroom during a sex sting.

He pleaded guilty in August to a reduced misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct, but is trying to reverse his plea and says if he does there's a slim chance he'll stay in the Senate -- despite saying a week ago it was his intent to resign on Sept. 30.

Warbis says Craig hasn't told Otter when he'll make a final decision.

Otter also hasn't disclosed just when he'll choose a replacement from his growing list.