FreedomWorks, a national advocacy and campaign group associated with the tea party movement, has announced its endorsement of Russ Fulcher in the race for Idaho’s open 1^st District congressional seat in 2018. Fulcher, a former GOP state senator from Meridian, is facing a crowded GOP primary next May, with rivals including current state Reps. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, and Christy Perry, R-Nampa; former Idaho attorney general and Lt. Gov. David Leroy; and several other candidates.

FreedomWorks for America President Adam Brandon said in a statement today, “Russ Fulcher will strengthen the ranks of true conservatives in the House of Representatives who fight for less government, lower taxes, and more economic freedom. We need strong conservatives to replace strong conservatives like Raúl Labrador when they wrap up their time in the House. We are confident that Russ Fulcher will be a leader for our conservative values.”

FreedomWorks was originally formed as Citizens for a Sound Economy in 1984 by brothers Charles and David Koch, the wealthy oil industry titans and libertarian activists; the group split in 2004 into the Kochs’ Americans for Prosperity and another group that was renamed FreedomWorks. The group was chaired by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey after he retired from Congress in 2002, until he left in a bitter split in 2012 that included an $8 million consulting deal.

FreedomWorks for America is a “superPAC” formed in July of 2011 by FreedomWorks Inc. It has raised and spent millions in U.S. House and Senate campaigns.