Idaho's two congressmen are both Republicans, but beyond party labels, couldn't be more different. 1st CD GOP Rep. Raul Labrador, a sophomore beloved by the Tea Party, was part of an attempt to overthrow Speaker John Boehner in January. 2nd CD GOP Rep. Mike Simpson is one of Boehner's best friends in the House and, for years, has riled his party's right wing. Deep-red Idaho would seem an unlikely hotbed of House competition, but after the 1st CD changed parties twice in 2008 and 2010, it's now the 2nd CD's turn in the spotlight - for an intra-party fight. Attorney Bryan Smith's decision to challenge GOP Rep. Mike Simpson from the right has delighted the Club for Growth and other ultra-conservative groups, who see Simpson as a "RINO" and a lackey for Boehner.As recently as early this year, the two had a joint PAC - but now, the PAC has dissolved, and Labrador is refusing to endorse Simpson. In fact, with a relatively early primary (May 20) and only a handful of primary challengers across the country emerging to attack
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.