Raul Labrador for Governor: Champion of Conservative Values

Dear Friend, I am thrilled to release the fourth plank of my Conservative Vision for a Stronger Idaho: Defending Traditional Idaho Values. There is nothing more important than defending the life of the pre-born, standing firm in defense of traditional families, and protecting our constitutional rights. I’ve championed these conservative causes my whole life.  Not just as a member of the Idaho Legislature or as a member of Congress, but also as a father and member of my community. In stark contrast to my consistent conservative record, my opponent Brad Little sided with Democratic lawmakers and cast the deciding vote in the Idaho Senate in 2004 to stop efforts to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.  Then in 2005, Little cast the deciding vote in favor of a bill to increase public funds paid to Planned Parenthood. Tommy Ahlquist’s own record as a conservative is questionable.  In 2014 Ahlquist donated $5,000, the maximum amount allowed by law, to a Democratic candidate for governor, and has donated thousands more to other Democrats, including top members of Hillary Clinton’s and Barack Obama's Idaho leadership teams.  Ahlquist has also conveniently reversed his positions on key issues like fighting for traditional marriage and ending common core. Idahoans expect their leaders to be forthright about where they stand on the issues and expect them to stand by their principles, never folding or yielding to political pressure. Idaho needs a governor who will take a consistent and firm stand in defense of traditional Idaho values. I invite you to review my plan below and share it on Facebook. Thanks for your support, Raúl Labrador Conservative for Governor   Conservative Vision for a Stronger Idaho Defending Idaho Values Support the Second Amendment and Stand Your Ground  Idaho must always defend the Second Amendment rights of our citizens. That is why I believe it is time to enact Stand Your Ground legislation in Idaho. Idaho should provide solid legal protection to people who must resort to deadly force in the protection of lives and property. As governor, I’ll support and promote legislation protecting law-abiding citizens who stand their ground, or use force without retreating, in defense of themselves, their families and their fellow Idahoans. End Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Clinics It is wrong to use taxpayer dollars to fund abortion clinics. As governor, I’ll work with the Legislature to stop state Medicaid dollars from reimbursing abortion clinics. Additionally, as governor, I’ll require abortion clinics in Idaho to be subject to the same stringent health inspections and medical certifications as hospitals and require each facility, including the doctors and staff that work there, to be medically qualified to provide the services offered at their facility. Protect Idahoans’ Right to Worship According to Their Faith All people have a fundamental God-given right to worship in accordance with one’s own beliefs. Our Constitution is designed to prevent the government from hindering the free exercise of religion. As governor, I will always protect the right of individuals, professionals, and private businesses to be free from government interference with their religious beliefs and will oppose legislation that puts Idahoans at risk of civil action for exercising their religious beliefs. Defend Traditional Marriage and Family Values Strong families improve our communities, our state and our nation. As governor, I’ll actively look for ways to strengthen healthy families and foster policies that result in resilient communities. I will also actively look for an opportunity to challenge the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision that interfered with our state sovereignty and took away states’ ability to define marriage. Stop Unjust Government Property Seizures Laws that deny people the right of due process must be repealed. In Idaho, it’s possible to have your property seized by law enforcement even if you’ve never been charged or convicted of a crime. This is known as civil asset forfeiture. As governor, I will be a strong supporter of law enforcement efforts to bring criminals to justice but seizing property without charging someone with a crime or securing a conviction isn’t justice. Idahoans deserve better, and I will work to reform civil asset forfeiture as other states have done. Protect Your Constitutional Rights by Repealing Mandatory Minimums Too often our criminal justice system does a poor job of balancing an individual’s criminal punishment with their constitutional rights. I believe the punishment should fit the crime. However, we have a responsibility to exercise an abundance of caution when we seek to take away a person’s freedom. One-size-fits-all prison sentences can lead to low level, non-violent offenders becoming lifelong criminals instead of being rehabilitated and returning to society as productive citizens. As governor, I’ll work with the Legislature to reform Idaho’s mandatory minimum sentencing requirements and improve the states’ substance abuse policies. We must make certain that sentences fit the crimes while also giving judges greater discretion when determining sentences. ###