Red, White & Blue
Labrador, Otter at odds over closed GOP primary
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador is at odds with Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, with the two on opposite sides of the Republican closed primary.
Labrador told the Idaho Statesman he supports it, while Otter urged Republicans to reconsider restrictions on who can vote.
Otter fears forcing people to publicly declare ballot choice angered voters, depressing Tuesday's statewide turnout to 23 percent.
Labrador contends the primary helped limit Republican nominations to Republican voters.
Otter and Labrador have a history of disagreeing.
In 2008, Labrador opposed Otter's choice to lead Idaho's Republican Party.
In 2009, Otter pushed raising gas taxes, while Labrador opposed it.
For Democratic Party Chairman Larry Grant, Labrador's intent is clear: To prepare for a 2014 gubernatorial bid.
Labrador's campaign didn't immediately comment.
So far, Otter has said he'll run.
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Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com
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