Idaho’s Crapo had image as Mormon teetotaler

Idaho’s Crapo had image as Mormon teetotaler

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — When U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo sponsored a 2010 bill to cut taxes on small brewers, he said he did so for pro-business, not pro-beer reasons.

A Mormon, the Idaho Republican told The Associated Press at the time that he abstains from alcohol, and he pledged to have a root beer to celebrate if the bill passed.

Crapo’s arrest Sunday in a Washington, D.C., suburb on suspicion of drunken driving contradicts his public persona as a teetotaling member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church prohibits members from using alcohol, as well as coffee, tea and some other substances.

In a statement, Crapo has taken responsibility and pledged to ensure “this circumstance is never repeated.”

Colleagues say they’re surprised the three-term Republican is in this situation. But Idaho’s junior U.S. Sen. Jim Risch offered his support, saying Crapo made a mistake and has apologized.