Rep. Raul Labrador Will Challenge Kevin McCarthy for GOP Leader

National Journal ^ | 06/13/2014 | Tim Alberta

[SeekAndFind]

Rep. Raul Labrador, a fiery conservative lawmaker from Idaho, will challenge House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy in next Thursday's special election to replace Eric Cantor as majority leader, according to Republican sources.

"I want a House Leadership team that reflects the best of our conference," Labrador said in a statement provided to National Journal. He later added: "I am running for Majority Leader because I want to help create a vision of growth and opportunity for everyone and start getting to work for the American people."

A sophomore representative from a heavily Republican district, Labrador's election would dramatically alter the dynamic atop the House GOP. The former immigration attorney is Hispanic and bilingual, and would add diversity to an all-white leadership team. Labrador is also a member of the enormous 2010 class, the members of which pushed the GOP into the majority—but have felt largely unrepresented since.

"I was stunned when Eric Cantor lost his primary election earlier this week," Labrador said. "Eric is a good friend and I have tremendous respect for him. But the message from Tuesday is clear—Americans are looking for a change in the status quo."

Labrador, however, enters the race as a decided underdog, as McCarthy and his seasoned vote-counting operation have been working around the clock since Wednesday securing commitments from members of the House GOP.

It's unclear, in fact, whether Labrador actually thinks he can win.

[itssme]

I heard Mark Levin's show and his interview with Labrador. I'm surprised that Mark didn't ask him pointed questions about his stand on amnesty, on whether he believes in closing the borders first, and applying the immigration laws we now have on the books. According to another post, Labrador was on Hannity’s show and danced around pertinent questioning. I didn't see this show. We need a strong Conservative leader who will fight amnesty, who will fight for the legal citizens in this country. We must stop the invasion of these children by obozo, who is doing it for the vote. We the people will be crushed by the numbers of illegals and their drain on the services of this country..the culture of this country will be destroyed.
We will become second class citizens, with the illegals being treated as first class citizens, while breaking our immigration laws with the help from a traitor pResident in OUR White House.

We need clarification from Labrador, who is Puerto Rican, on what his stand is on amnesty and the invasion of illegals into this country. And we need to hear from him NOW.

[napscoordinator]

This sounds good. I never heard of him before but anybody but McCarthy according to other FREEPERS. Good News. He is kinda young too.

[devolve]

- easier to question a BS’ing Labrador now than to primary a damn DC amnesty BS’er in 2 years

- let all Republican candidates know we will shut them down and send them home pronto -

- the Vets and their families are for getting rid of the bastards - both parties will “VA-Care” America if we put up with the country club drinkers and golfers like we have now

[eater-of-toast]

Labrador only left the House “Gangsters of 8” after a big public outcry from conservatives — and likely only because of it. At any rate, Labrador’s pro-amnesty statements were more outspoken than Cantor’s.

[GrouchoTex]

I agree 100 %

[freekitty]

Bad idea. He is almost as bad as McCarthy as the word goes. Get a real conservative.

[freekitty]

Exactly

[VideoDoctor]

My intuition tells me if he is the candidate of choice by the GOP elite I would assume his underlying POV is similar to those that are trying to put him into the position of power

[TomasUSMC]

Do you want this 7 foot rattlesnake or do you want that 7 foot rattlesnake?
///////////////////////

I am so very sad that you are so very right about this. But its true. When they say they support Immigration Reform ....the mean they support Immigration RETREAT.

At least Labrador should make a news splash and appear in front of the stinking Mexican Embassy and demand they release the U.S. Marine.

[xzins]

McCarthy would let them go one with business as usual. With Labrador, at least they’d have to adjust to a new personality and it might slow them down.

So, for that reason only, I suppose Labrador would be better.

I’d also like to see opposition just for the sake of opposition. It would set the stage for the future.