Roberts out, Labrador in, Sali mum in Idaho's 1st District Congressional race

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When a Republican state representative quit his campaign to retake Idaho's 1st District congressional seat from the Democrats, the breach was quickly filled by one of his Capitol colleagues.

Rep. Ken Roberts, the House GOP caucus chairman from Donnelly, cited an unspecified health problem and the emergence of an unnamed candidate with "strong conservative credentials" who would run in his stead. Last week, Roberts said former Republican Rep. Bill Sali, who held the western and northern Idaho seat in 2007-09, may run.

But 90 minutes after Roberts' withdrawal Tuesday morning, Rep. Raul Labrador of Eagle told the Idaho Statesman that he was the man Roberts had in mind.

"I believe he is talking about me," said Labrador, a leader in the fight against Gov. Butch Otter's fuel tax increases in the 2009 Legislature. "I have a great deal of respect for Ken Roberts, and my prayers are with him and his family."

Labrador said he expects to make a formal campaign announcement in the next week or so. The two-term lawmaker acknowledged his late start and newcomer Vaughn Ward's big cash advantage in the race to face freshman Walt Minnick, who beat Sali last year.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/102/story/968619.html