WASHINGTON—Idaho Republican Larry Craig has decided he wants to be a U.S. senator a little longer.

Craig’s lawyers asked a Minnesota judge Sept. 26 to let the three-term senator withdraw his guilty plea in a sex sting at a Minneapolis airport restroom. Afterward, Craig issued a statement saying he will stay in office “for now.”

People close to Craig said that means until the judge rules.

Craig said earlier he planned to resign Sept. 30, then left the door open to stay if he could successfully withdraw his plea.

Craig pleaded guilty in August to disorderly conduct following a June 11 sting operation in a men’s room at the Minneapolis airport.

That he will stay in the Senate was an unwelcome development for Senate Republican leaders who have made clear they wish Craig would step down and let Idaho’s GOP governor, C.L. “Butch” Otter, name a replacement.