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Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, has issued a statement about his plans to enter the 1st District congressional race; click below to read his full new release. In it, he says, “Becca and I made this decision after talking with our friend, Ken Roberts.”
Rep. Raúl Labrador
Press Release
October 10, 2009
LABRADOR ANNOUNCES HE WILL MAKE RUN FOR CONGRESS
State Representative Raúl Labrador (R-Eagle) announced today that he is making preparations to formally enter the race for the 1st Congressional District seat now held by Democrat Walt Minnick.
“Becca and I made this decision after talking with our friend, Ken Roberts,” Labrador said. “Before talking about politics, I want to ask Idahoans to join with us in praying for Ken’s health. I know he and his family are concerned. And I know we need Ken’s strong leadership in the upcoming session of the Idaho Legislature. Idaho is facing some difficult challenges and we need him back in Boise, healthy.
“I am fully aware of the fact that putting together a congressional campaign is a monumental undertaking that we cannot do alone,” Labrador added. “I would not even consider taking on this challenge at this late date without the strong support of Republicans and Independents in the 1st Congressional District. I’ve been heartened by calls of encouragement from grassroots leaders around the district to champion the conservative values so important to the people of Idaho, and so vital to our nation’s recovery.”
“This country is now undergoing an unprecedented assault on our core values. Nearly every day we read about more federal spending, or a new policy that can only make us weaker abroad and more vulnerable in our communities.”
“To be honest, I am anxious for our future. I am worried about the destruction of our economic strength, and resentful of the mountains of debt we will leave our children.”
“These are challenges which demand a vigorous answer. Washington, D.C. needs a strong dose of Idaho values and I am prepared to battle, on behalf of our families and our future, Speaker Pelosi’s dangerous agenda.”
“In the days ahead, I will make a formal announcement of my candidacy for Congress.”
—30—
Betsy Z. Russell covers Idaho news from The Spokesman-Review's bureau in Boise.
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Idaho Democrats on November 11 at 8:37 a.m.
Did he really date it October 10?
I know Idaho Republicans tend to live in the past, but attention to detail is always a good thing, especially among would-be members of Congress!
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slfisher on November 11 at 9:14 a.m.
So Labrador will be out of the Legislature. Is Roberts planning to run again? or do we lose two extreme conservatives at one shot?
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duckster1 on November 11 at 12:21 p.m.
“To be honest, I am anxious for our future. I am worried about the destruction of our economic strength, and resentful of the mountains of debt we will leave our children.”
I too am concerned about our future—for myself, my wife and my sixteen year old daughter. As to “the destruction of our economic strength” you need to look no further than the rampaging elephants of Wall St. who ran amuck under the tutelege of a Republian President and a Republican controlled congress.
A wise man I knew in California often said to me, “Ya can have anything you want, so long as you don't want too much.” Financing two wars and bailing out major financial institutions (though neceessary) is too much. Al was originally from Nebraska where his family lost the farm during the Great Depression. I remember the day he flew to Nebraska to buy it back. I think it was the happiest day of his life.
From my view, Walt Minnick is doing yoeman like work in D.C. Idahoans are an independent lot and Minnick has demonstrated the independent streak that represents me. Lest I be dismissed as simply “a partisan liberal” I can say the same of Mike Simpson.
Raising the specter of Nancy Palosi is just so much political bluthering. Hopefully in the future Mr. Labrador, you will refrain from invoking the devil incarnate du jour and wrapping yourself in the ephemeral cloak of 'Idaho values”. This tells me nothing. Give me some substance. Tell me exactly what you will try to accomplish if chosen to reresent me and how this differs from Mr. Minnick's performance.
If your remarks are geared toward the recent health care debate I have this to say. Recently the Guv and Mr. Gwartney stripped part time state employees of their health care benefits–EXCEPT, as I understatnd it, the legislature of which you are a beneficiary.
Smacks of a couple of sayings my dad had:
“He who has the gold makes the rules” and
“I got mine, how're you doing”
To go back where we started–this is the same attitude that has you and I worried about the future of our kids. TELL ME I'M WRONG, IF YOU CAN.
By the way, I live in Eagle in your district. An elephant behind a candidates name, without more substance, is not worthy of my vote.
As you move along try to do better. Oh, by the way, try to get the date right future. As a lawyer, you more than most should realize that 'facts count.”
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IdahoRed on November 14 at 1:00 a.m.
Due to the fact that you are an 'Immigration Attorney', I'd like to hear more of where your stance is on immigration policy. Will you be touting Amnesty? I, for one, have no problem with legal immigration. However, the Amnesty bills being touted in D.C. I cannot support. If you support Amnesty, I cannot support you.
I believe we need to stop dangling carrots [welfare, medicaid, healthcare in our hospitals and other entitlement programs] and ban all illegal immigrants from receiving the benefits of such programs, ban them from obtaining drivers' licenses, ban them from employment in America [and certainly Idaho]. If there are no rewards for illegally entering America they would stop doing so and we wouldn't have to worry about our borders because there would be no incentive to cross them.
As a true conservative, I must know where you stand on immigration before I could even consider casting my vote for you. I will, however, give you the opportunity to convince me that I should vote for you.
For the record, as a true conservative, who genuinely believed that Ken Roberts was the only true conservative in the race, I have to say I'd vote for Walt Minnick before I'd vote for Vaughn Ward. But I would much rather vote for a true conservative so make your case Mr. Labrador and you just might get my vote.
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