Former state Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, has dropped out of the race for governor and instead will run for the 1^st District congressional seat being vacated by Raul Labrador – who’s also running for governor. And the move has won Fulcher Labrador’s endorsement. “Raúl and I have worked together for a long time to promote Idaho families and encourage government to act within its proper Constitutional role,” Fulcher said in a statement this morning. “We recognize the best way to serve the citizens of Idaho is to work together in complimentary roles.”

Already running for the 1^st District congressional seat is Republican David Leroy, a former Idaho lieutenant governor and attorney general. In addition, a Democrat from Post Falls, Michael William Smith, filed to run for the 1^st CD seat weeks ago, but hasn’t responded to inquiries from reporters.

Fulcher’s exit from the governor’s race drops the number of major announced hopefuls so far from four to three – Labrador, current Lt. Gov. Brad Little, and physician and businessman Tommy Ahlquist, all Republicans.

In Fulcher’s statement today, Labrador was quoted saying, “I fully support Russ Fulcher in his bid to become the next congressman from Idaho’s 1^st District. … I am convinced this is the best move for Republican party unity and also the best move to change the direction of our state and country.”