New Members 2010 - Idaho

REP.-ELECT RAUL LABRADOR (R-IDAHO-01)

Date of birth: Dec. 8, 1967
Birthplace: Puerto Rico
Residence: Eagle, Idaho
Occupation: Attorney
Education: B.A., Brigham Young University; J.D., University of Washington
Previous office held: Idaho state representative, 2006-2010
Family: Wife, Rebecca; five children

Raul Labrador defeated first-term Rep. Walt Minnick (D) to capture Idaho’s heavily Republican 1st district.

Labrador was a long shot even to become the GOP nominee in the race. With help from a local Tea Party group, he upset party favorite Vaughn Ward. A native of Puerto Rico and son of a single mother, Labrador campaigned as the “proven conservative,” touting his record of supporting lower taxes and opposing abortion rights and gun control.

While Minnick voted against major planks of the Democratic agenda, Labrador criticized him for voting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) 70 percent of the time. Minnick tried to outflank him with a tough ad accusing Labrador of profiting off illegal immigrants through his law practice. Labrador called the ad “disgusting, disgraceful [and] shameful,” and the Republican tilt of the district helped carry him to victory on Election Day.

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