Labrador, Minnick square off in 1st District
Go to www.cdapress.com/news/political for more background on candidates.
On Tuesday, incumbent Democrat Rep. Walt Minnick faces Republican challenger Raul R. Labrador for the House seat from Idaho's First Congressional District.
Raul R. Labrador
Birth date: Dec. 8, 1967
Profession: Attorney
Educational background: Bachelor of Arts from BYU and Juris Doctorate from University of Washington
Public service (elected or appointed offices): I have been an Idaho State Representative since 2006. I also served as Republican Party Legislative District Chair and Vice-Chair, Youth Committeeman and Precinct Committeeman. I was a delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention.
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Commissioner, Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs (2007-Present), Board Member of the Utah Special Olympics (1991), Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout and volunteer). I have also served in many leadership positions in my church.
How many years as a resident of your city: I have lived in the Treasure Valley (Boise and Eagle) since 1996.
Marital status: Married 18 years to Rebecca J. Labrador.
Family: We have 5 children - Michael (17); Katerina (15); Josh (13); Diego (10); and Rafael (7).
Hobbies: Volleyball, snow and water skiing, movies, spending time with my family.
1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for Congress because I believe that we must remain vigilant in protecting the principles of Freedom and Liberty. I will fight to return limited government to Washington and in doing so reduce the burden that taxes and regulations place on businesses and families. I will fight to enact common-sense policies that encourage jobs, economic growth and prosperity.
2. What do you see as the three biggest issues you'll face?
I will fight to return limited government to Washington and in doing so reduce the burden that taxes and regulations place on businesses and families. I will fight to enact common-sense policies that encourage jobs, economic growth and prosperity. Most importantly, I will fight to protect individual liberty and freedom from an ever expanding federal government.
3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
Significantly reduce spending, reform entitlement programs and lower taxes. Congress must enact a flat tax. The tax structure should benefit everyone equally without giving preferential treatment to any particular industry or business. The result would be economic growth that will be sustainable even during tough economic times.
In addition, Government must understand that it does not create jobs. The private sector creates jobs. Thus, Congress must ensure that the federal bureaucracies operate more efficiently. Congress' responsibility is to reduce government spending and stop federal regulations that cripple private industry.
Finally, we must become energy independent and stop depending on foreign oil. That means increasing the production of fossil fuels by allowing more drilling and exploration. In addition, Congress must change the environmental regulatory process to develop renewable energy sources. Idaho could lead the way because it has the technology and knowledge base to become the nuclear and renewable energy capital of the world.
4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
I have been an effective member of the Idaho Legislature since 2006. I have served in many leadership positions for political, civic and church groups. I have been a business owner for 10 years; I know how hard it is to keep a business going. I have been happily married for 18 years and have raised five amazing children.
5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
I have a proven record of standing up for conservative values and fighting against the establishment. With the mess created in Washington by politicians who make promises but do not deliver, I am the only candidate who is prepared, and has the knowledge and experience to defeat Walt Minnick in November. I have a record of fighting taxes, fighting regulations, fighting out of control spending, and fighting for Idaho families.
Walt Minnick
Birth date: 9/20/42
Profession: Businessman
Educa-tional background: Harvard Law School, JD; Harvard Business School, MBA (Magna Cum Laude); Whitman College, Economics (Summa Cum Laude with honors)
Public service (elected or appointed offices): Currently serving as U.S. Congressman
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): I was a co-founder and served on the Board of the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence. I served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board of College of Idaho, as Chairman of Boise State University's Business School Advisory Council, and currently serve on the Board of my alma mater, Whitman College. During my tenure as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board of the community-owned Bogus Basin ski area, we helped the non-profit return from the verge of bankruptcy. I have also been honored to serve in other leadership roles in civic, charitable and business organizations.
How many years as a resident of your city: I have lived in Boise for more than 35 years
Marital status: I am married to A.K. Lienhart-Minnick
Family: We have two sons, two daughters and three grandchildren.
Hobbies: Skiing, backpacking, running rivers, fly fishing
1. Why are you running for office?
I am a businessman first, and I am guided by my decades of experience with meeting a payroll, fighting federal bureaucracy, and balancing my books. I voted the Idaho values of pragmatism, common sense and fiscal accountability, and helped people struggling in these tough times. I hope to continue doing that work for the people of Idaho.
2. What do you see as the three biggest issues you'll face?
Balancing the budget, jump-starting the credit system and economy, and putting people back to work.
3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
This country faces very serious problems, problems that will not be resolved by more bickering or by the party in charge governing without consensus. All of the important issues are best addressed by all sides coming together to craft bipartisan solutions. Whether it concerns implementation of recommendations from the deficit reduction commission, making sweeping cuts to federal spending or continuing work to get our banking system and economy working again for small business, it will take all of us rolling up our sleeves and working together to move America forward.
4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
I was president and CEO of TJ International, a Fortune 1000 company, and was the chairman and CEO of SummerWinds Garden Centers. I currently serve as the U.S. Congressman for Idaho's First District, but I am guided by my experience of growing up on my family's wheat farm and my more than three decades of growing jobs here in Idaho.
5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
Because I deliver. I delivered on my promises to veterans by cutting red tape and by writing legislation to help them go to college after their service. I delivered on my promise to stand against reckless spending by refusing earmarks, by proposing new tools for cutting waste and by demanding a constitutional amendment for a balanced budget. I delivered on my promise of jobs for Idaho, earning the support of the National Federation of Independent Business, the Chamber of Commerce, other associations and a host of people running businesses large and small. I delivered on my promise to never forget our shared Idaho values, whether it was a tough vote against my party or another long flight back home so you could tell me how I was doing, and what I could do better.