BOISE, ID - Blue Dog Democrat Walt Minnick has another challenger. Conservative Republican State Reprehensive Raul Labrador of Eagle launched his drive to win the 1st District Congressional nomination. Correspondent Don Wimberly reports.

Standing in front of the Temporary House Chambers in the Capitol Annex, two-term Republican State Representative Raul Labrador of Eagle officially launched his congressional campaign….

Labrador: “As a member of the Idaho House of Representatives I have quickly become a leader in the fight for lower taxes and limited government even though it meant standing against a powerful establishment.”

Shortly before the announcement, Republican State Senator Mike Jorgenson of Hayden put out a news release calling on Labrador to withdraw from the congressional race. Jorgensen claims Labrador has admitted to defending illegal immigrants in his role as an immigration attorney.

Labrador: “The immigration issue is one of the most important issues facing American today and we have a broken immigration system. I am the only candidate in this race who understands this issue because I'm someone who actually studied it and worked on it for many years. We have to have a system where amnsety is not the solution but we have to have a way to solve the immigration problem.”

Iraq War veteran Vaughn Ward is the only other Republican candidate in the 1st District Congressional primary race. State Representative Ken Roberts dropped out last month. Former Congressman Bill Sali has hinted he may launch a bid to regain the seat. But so far he hasn’t made up his mind. Labrador says he considers Sali a close friend, but would remain in the race even if Sali decides to run again.

Copyright 2009 Boise Public Radio

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