Rep. Labrador: Running for governor depends on immigration push

Rep. Raul Labrador's (R-Idaho) decision on whether to run for governor will hinge on whether Congress implements immigration reform, he told the Idaho Statesman.

"Right now, my number one priority is doing something about immigration," Labrador said on Friday. "And it will help me, seeing how things are in Washington. Whether we can get something done or not is going to be instrumental in helping me make my decision. It's going to be one of the keys."

Labrador has been a leading GOP voice for immigration reform. It's unclear from the article whether he'd be more likely to run if immigration legislation passes or whether it stalls.

The second-term congressman said he hopes to make a decision on the race by "early this year."

"I know people don't believe me — they think I've already made a decision — but it's not something I wake up every morning and think about," he said.

Labrador represents a heavily Republican seat, though a Democrat did win it in 2008. Idaho Gov. Butch Otter (R) has said he's running for reelection but there is speculation he might change his mind.