Rep. Raul Labrador cites party’s success, seeks third term

Republican U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador said members of Congress affiliated with the tea party movement are having a positive effect, and that he should be returned to the House of Representatives for a third term from Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.

“I think Washington has changed a little bit because I’m there,” Labrador said. “I want the opportunity to complete the mission.”

Labrador pointed to reduction in the federal budget deficit and a drop in the unemployment rate as two places where he and other tea party Republicans have been effective.

“That’s because people like me went back to Washington to stop the agenda of President Obama,” Labrador said.

Labrador faces three challengers in the May 20 GOP primary election. They are Sean Blackwell, of Rathdrum; Michael Greenway, of Eagle; and Lisa Marie, of Boise. Little suggests the 46-year-old lawmaker is in any trouble. Labrador won in the last general election by a 63 percent to 31 percent margin.

State Rep. Shirley Ringo, of Moscow, and Ryan Barone, of Hayden, are facing off in the Democratic primary.

Labrador is a lawyer and Puerto Rico native who defeated incumbent Democrat Walt Minnick to win a House seat in 2010.

Labrador said his top achievement so far has been helping to reduce the federal deficit from $1.4 trillion to about $600 billion.

“It’s not great, but it’s better,” he said.