WASHINGTON – Senator Craig sought the dismissal of a Senate ethics committee complaint today and relayed word that he will resign his seat only if he fails to withdraw a guilty plea stemming from an airport men’s room sex sting by September 30.

“He said he is going to try and get the case in Minnesota dismissed,” Senator McConnell of Kentucky said, telling reporters he had heard from the Idaho lawmaker earlier in the day.

Mr. McConnell spoke several hours after Mr. Craig’s lawyers appealed to the ethics committee to dismiss the complaint against him, saying it stemmed merely from personal conduct, and did not relate to his official duties.

The Idaho conservative was arrested in a men’s room of the Minneapolis airport on June 11. An undercover police officer stationed in the restroom said Mr. Craig had exhibited behavior consistent with seeking sex.

Mr. Craig’s defiance – he announced on Saturday he intended to resign on September 30 – left Republican leaders quietly dismayed.

Mr. McConnell twice declined to answer when asked whether he believes Mr. Craig should quit his seat. “My view remains what I said last Saturday. I thought he made the difficult, but correct decision to resign. That would still be my view today,” he said.