One candidate and a number of potential contenders are lining up for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District seat after four-term U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador announced this week that he is running for governor.
Republican David Leroy, the former Idaho lieutenant governor and attorney general, filed his candidacy paperwork on Thursday, officially throwing his hat in the ring.
Meanwhile, late Wednesday, former state Schools Superintendent Tom Luna released a statement in response to media inquiries saying he was “strongly considering” a run, and promised an official announcement in the coming weeks.
Besides Leroy and Luna, Republican names circulating include three state lawmakers – Sen. Bob Nonini and Rep. Luke Malek, both of Coeur d’Alene, and Rep. Mike Moyle, the House majority leader from Star.
There’s already a Democrat officially in the race. Michael Smith of Post Falls, who filed paperwork in March, has a Facebook page and GoFundMe account, but he is not among the five potential candidates who have contacted the state Democratic Party about possible runs.
The historically conservative 1st Congressional District covers the entire western half Idaho, stretching the length of the state from Canada to Nevada. (Idaho Statesman)
