Tea Party Leader Raul Labrador Announces Presidential Endorsement to Fix ‘Broken’ Washington



BY JOE PERTICONE (2 HOURS AGO) | ELECTIONS


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Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho), one of the founders of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, is endorsing Ted Cruz for President.

First reported by National Review, Labrador’s endorsement comes just before Cruz takes on the crucial South Carolina primary.

Labrador, who originally backed Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and served as the Western States Chairman for the now-defunct campaign, said in a statement Wednesday that Cruz “has always been a stalwart defender of the constitution and a tireless advocate for conservative principles,” adding:

“Americans know Washington is broken. Ted Cruz is the only candidate that will truly change the way Washington works, restore the balance of power between the presidency and the American people, and advance the principles of freedom and liberty for all Americans, not just the privileged few.”

Also in the statement, Cruz called Labrador a “passionate advocate for liberty who has spent his time in Congress fighting for the freedoms of Idahoans and for all Americas.”


Image Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

He thanked the Idaho Republican for his support by insisting that Washington needs more politicians of Labrador’s caliber because:

“He has continuously stood up and fought for conservative principles like limited government, reigning in Obama’s lawlessness, defunding Obamacare and protecting life and marriage.”

Meanwhile, Cruz’s rival candidate and fellow Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is racking up the endorsements as well before the Palmetto State’s primary on Saturday. Rubio snagged the coveted endorsement from governor Nikki Haley, adding to his long list of South Carolina supporters.
But Labrador’s support could help Cruz court another critical endorsement, Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), who also serves on the Freedom Caucus.

Whether Cruz’s latest endorsement will help him court more conservatives and have any effect at the polls on Saturday has yet to be seen, but it is certainly a crucial get for Cruz.


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