Republican Rep. Raul Labrador of Idaho, one of the leaders of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, on Wednesday endorsed GOP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president.
Labrador made the announcement as Idaho prepares for its presidential primary in three weeks.
He first backed Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul, but Paul withdrew from the race earlier this month.
“Senator Ted Cruz has always been a stalwart defender of the constitution and a tireless advocate for conservative principles,” Labrador said. “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.”
Labrador said, “It’s time for all conservatives to unite behind the one candidate that can win in November and defeat the Washington establishment.”
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.”
“I am thrilled to have his support for our campaign and look forward to working together to restore this country to the principles it was founded upon,” Cruz said in a statement.
Labrador becomes the second member of the Idaho congressional delegation to back a presidential candidate.
Earlier, GOP Sen. Jim Risch threw his support behind Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.
Republican Sen. Mike Crapo and GOP Rep. Mike Simpson have yet to announce whom they’ll support.
Rob Hotakainen: 202-383-0009, @HotakainenRob