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5-term Idaho attorney general loses in GOP primary battle
valdostadailytimes.com ^ | 5/18/22 | KEITH RIDLER

Posted on 05/18/2022 1:18:52 PM PDT by cotton1706

Former U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador has won Idaho’s GOP attorney general primary, beating the longtime incumbent who had been criticized by the far right for not taking a more activist role.

Labrador prevailed over Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, backed by establishment Republicans, and Art Macomber, a political newcomer who has never held public office.

Wasden was slightly ahead in early returns Tuesday night, but lost the advantage as more counties outside of the highly populated Boise region began reporting votes.

Labrador, a favorite of the Tea Party during his eight years in the U.S. House, lost to Republican Gov. Brad Little in the 2018 Republican primary. The attorney general post could be a stepping stone for another gubernatorial run in 2026.

Wasden, a five-term incumbent, was endorsed by Little and former Republican Govs. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Phil Batt, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and former Republican Attorney General and Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones. He’s also endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

He had told lawmakers when he believed proposed laws would likely be struck down by courts, irritating members of his party. They created a Legislative Legal Defense Fund to hire their own attorneys that, critics say, tell lawmakers what they want to hear. The fund, controlled by House and Senates leaders, has spent millions.

“You can choose an attorney general that follows the law or one that thinks he’s a congressional activist or a policymaker,” Wasden said during a debate with Labrador and Macomber last month.

Labrador had been upfront in telling conservative lawmakers they’ll have a partner with him in the attorney general’s office.

“This job is not just a legal job, it’s a political job,” Labrador said in the same debate. “I would just be a lot more aggressive.”

(Excerpt) Read more at valdostadailytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Politics/Elections; US: Idaho
KEYWORDS: elections; idaho
I'd forgotten about this race.

Boy is this good news!

Raul Labrador is great!

1 posted on 05/18/2022 1:18:52 PM PDT by cotton1706
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To: cotton1706

Great news. Too bad RINO Simpson won his race.


2 posted on 05/18/2022 1:21:10 PM PDT by georgecorgi
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To: georgecorgi

81 - 3 Not a bad score if you ask me:-)


3 posted on 05/18/2022 1:21:46 PM PDT by Harpotoo (Being a socialist is a lot easier than having to WORK like the rest of US:-))
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To: cotton1706
I have to confess that I've given up on elections since the rat demons have stolen so many....

but I like Labrador and I think I donated to him several yrs ago.....

4 posted on 05/18/2022 1:22:33 PM PDT by cherry (;)
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To: cotton1706

“You can choose an attorney general that follows the law or one that thinks he’s a congressional activist or a policymaker,” Wasden said”

What a typical Republican loser—dutifully enforce laws that oppress the public instead of fighting to change them.

Good to see the voters have had enough.


5 posted on 05/18/2022 1:23:12 PM PDT by cgbg (A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
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To: Harpotoo

Yes! But those three were crucial right? I was really hoping Hebster would’ve won in Nebraska‘s GOP primary 😞


6 posted on 05/18/2022 1:25:37 PM PDT by RoseofTexas
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To: cotton1706

I’m glad I read the lamestream press so that I know that the far right exists and is active, whilst there is no far left whatsoever. In fact, there is no “left” either.


7 posted on 05/18/2022 1:27:20 PM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: cherry
I like Labrador and I think I donated to him several yrs ago.....

I bet you did. Labrador was very active some years back, prior to Trump, I think, although the two would get along.

Labrador was running for a congressional seat, which he lost, and which is still held by the lady who beat him---

Cathy McMorris is her name, it just came to me.

Labrador was much on the TV ciruit back then, whe Tim Russert and some of that crowd was still around, and he was terrific at challenging and deflating the old tired status quo.

But I seem to remember he pushed hard some of squishy/lefty positions too, including immigration, natch. He should be great fun if he doesn't start palling around with open borders creeps.

8 posted on 05/18/2022 1:38:56 PM PDT by Fightin Whitey
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To: cotton1706

I heard him speak in Rathdrum ID a few years ago. He fielded some pointed questions and did well. Voted for him this time around.


9 posted on 05/18/2022 2:02:54 PM PDT by Noumenon (Black American flag time. KTF)
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To: Fightin Whitey

Labrador ran for Governor four years ago and lost, barely, to Brad Little dictator. He was replaced by Russ Fulcher. I have no idea who Cathy McMorris is.


10 posted on 05/18/2022 2:09:41 PM PDT by jps098
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To: cotton1706

McGeachin got stomped, more’s the pity, because I want Little out. Labrador’s a very nice gain, though.


11 posted on 05/18/2022 2:12:53 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Billthedrill

It’s not easy to defeat an incumbent. McGeacham couldn’t but Labrador could.


12 posted on 05/18/2022 2:17:15 PM PDT by cotton1706
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To: cotton1706

Labrador is a great win for Idaho, unfortunately a lot of the rinos won including governor do little.


13 posted on 05/18/2022 2:22:06 PM PDT by bboise
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To: Harpotoo

what is 81-3 ?


14 posted on 05/18/2022 2:41:01 PM PDT by Mr. K (No consequence of repealing obamacare is worse than obamacare itself)
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To: jps098

McMorris is the incumbent Republican squish congresswoman from eastern Washington, who (contrary to what some poster above said) obviously never ran against Labrador for anything since she’s not even from Idaho.


15 posted on 05/18/2022 2:45:26 PM PDT by PermaRag (We have SO many targets, and -- for now -- the means to see they get what they deserve.)
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To: jps098
days ago — (Washington, D.C.) Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers sent a letter today, signed by the entire Washington delegation, to the Chairmen and ...

I was typing on the fly, no question

But I did get a little snit out of you, and now we both know who Cathy McMorris is.

16 posted on 05/18/2022 4:12:35 PM PDT by Fightin Whitey
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To: Mr. K

His endorsement WIN - loss record so far!


17 posted on 05/19/2022 10:30:30 AM PDT by Harpotoo (Being a socialist is a lot easier than having to WORK like the rest of US:-))
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