Spotlight on the ID 1st Congressional District

Republican Winner, Raul Labrador
The Idaho 1st Congressional District encompasses the western and northern parts of Idaho. Within its borders are the western third of the state capital, Boise, and most of Boise's suburbs, including the cities of Nampa and Meridian. The towns of Lewiston, Moscow and Coeur d’Alene are also represented. In keeping with the district’s strong Republican lean, George W. Bush received 68% of the vote here in both 2000 and 2004, and John McCain earned 62% in 2008. Conservative Republican Bill Sali was elected to Congress in 2006 but moderate Republicans in the district failed to support him for re-election in 2008, allowing Democrat Walt Minnick to win. With that unfortunate turn of events, the district became one of the few heavily Republican districts in the nation represented by a Democrat. In the GOP primary on May 25, Raul Labrador, State Rep. and Attorney, defeated party backed candidate, Vaughn Ward. Ward's campaign suffered several missteps in the weeks prior to the primary which hurt his chances. In the general election, Labrador, who started the campaign as a decided underdog, successfully tied Minnick to the unpopular agenda of the Democratic leadership in Washington and won the seat, 51% to 41%. Labrador has the distinction of being the first Puerto Rico born candidate to win a congressional seat for the GOP.
Raul Labrador
  • Born in Puerto Rico, moved to the US as a child
  • BA, Brigham Young Univ.
  • JD, Univ. of Washington, 1995
  • Former Law Clerk, Office of the U.S. Attorney, Washington State
  • Former Associate Attorney, Cusack & Knowles
  • Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, District of Idaho, 1996-1998
  • Attorney, Belnap & Curtis, 1998-2000
  • Owner/Managing partner, Labrador Law Offices, present
  • Representative, Idaho State House, 2006-present
  • State legislative issues: fighting against efforts to raise the gas tax and proposing comprehensive tax relief 
  • Former Republican District Chairman and Republican Precinctman
  • Member, Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, present
  • Advisor, Republican Conference Task Force on Hispanic Affairs, U.S. Senate
  • Endorsed and supported in legislative races by the NRA, Idaho Chooses Life and the Idaho Assoc. of Commerce and Industry
  • Member, Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout)

ISSUES

  • Broad based tax cuts to stimulate the economy and job growth; advocate for strengthening families and the rights of the unborn; strengthen border security and control illegal immigration; reduce the size of government and eliminate wasteful spending; support 2nd Amendment rights
The foundation of everything that Raul Labrador does is his belief in integrity and honesty. Raul believes that self-governance by individuals is what makes America strong as a nation. Government of the people is the cornerstone to that foundation. All other forms of state and federal government build from there.
Promises Kept
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.