First District GOP Congressman Raul Labrador endorsed Russ Fulcher for governor today, over two-term GOP Gov. Butch Otter. “Butch Otter has done a lot of things to admire in office,” Labrador said at a Statehouse news conference with Fulcher. “But after 40 years in government, he has lost his way. … Idahoans are looking for leaders with political courage and fresh ideas. Russ Fulcher has both. … He will give our state a chance to fulfill its promise.” Labrador, a tea party favorite who’s facing only token opposition in his bid for a third term in Congress, said he believes Idaho “should be the next Silicon Valley,” and said he thought Fulcher would steer the state to “high tech and high wages”/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here. (Eye on Boise photo: Betsy Russell)

Question: Is Labrador taking a big political risk here by endorsing the opponent of a two-term governor?