Associated Press - No Longer An Underdog, Labrador Still an Outsider

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By Jessie L. Bonner

Labrador, who rode a wave of tea party support into office, didn't join the group's congressional caucus.

BOISE -- U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador has learned how to raise money, heading into Tuesday's Republican primary with nearly six times the campaign cash he had two years ago.

But the freshman congressman insists that he hasn't lost his independent streak.

A former state lawmaker from Eagle, Labrador was heavily outspent in the 2010 primary, when he beat Republican Vaughn Ward, and again when he ousted Democrat Walt Minnick in Idaho's 1st Congressional District.

This year, however, Labrador has $200,000 in cash on hand while defending his seat against a 50-year-old truck driver from Moscow, Reed McCandless. The challenger didn't file a campaign finance report and couldn't be reached for comment.

Labrador said his goal is to win re-election so he can fight for sound decision making. "I know how to say no and I know how to fight for my principles. But my goal is always to get to yes," he said.

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