After months of speculation, U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador walked into the Idaho Secretary of State's office Tuesday morning and signed the paperwork to start his run for governor.
Labrador joins a crowded field of seven candidates for the job. Current Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter is in his third term and has said he does not plan to run again. On the Republican side, Labrador faces Lt. Gov. Brad Little, former state senator Russ Fulcher, and physician and developer Tommy Ahlquist. The Spokesman Review reports three independents have filed to run: Lisa Marie, Michael Richardson and John Thomas Wiechec. Troy Minton is the only Democrat in the race, and was arrested in April for theft and a probation violation.
Labrador has been in the national news this week after a town hall meeting in Lewiston where he said no one has died because they didn't have access to health care — a claim disputed by health care officials and medical experts. He later said the answer wasn't very elegant and said hospitals are required to treat people in an emergency regardless of if they can pay.
After he filed for governor, Labrador issued this statement:
"Running for Governor of the great state of Idaho takes serious preparation. To comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law, I have filed the appropriate campaign finance form required to register as a candidate for Governor. I'll be making a formal announcement in the coming weeks. Idaho needs a proven conservative leader who will stand against the special interests and politicians that have picked the winners and losers in our state Capitol for too long. Idaho needs a strong leader who will make government fair for everyone. Idaho needs a governor who will provide a new vision, a new approach and new leadership." - Raul Labrador
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