State Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, who's running in the GOP primary for the 1st District congressional seat, has announced that he raised $30,000 in December, bringing his campaign warchest to a total of $80,000. That's because he also put in $50,000 of his own money, a move that Labrador said shows he's serious about the race. “If I am going to ask people to contribute to my campaign – and the larger cause to change how Congress does business – then I should be willing to invest in that effort myself,” he said. He added, “Raising $30,000 in the middle of the holiday season is a tremendous accomplishment for my campaign.

Labrador entered the race Dec. 7, and is facing Vaughn Ward, who's been actively campaigning and fundraising for months; campaign finance reports in the race are due Jan. 31. Ward announced earlier that he raised more than $100,000 in the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2009. The two are vying to take on Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick.

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