BOISE - The 2018 race for Idaho’s Governor continues to heat up.
A new attack advertisement targeting Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador is among the first attack ads of the election.
The ad goes after Labrador’s voting record and success, saying he hasn't been able to pass any of his legislation in Washington.
But, is the ad factual? We set out to verify the claims.
Thursday at the statehouse in Boise, Labrador claimed the ad was a big lie.
“Tommy Ahlquist and his father's PAC have been deceiving the people of Idaho in their attack ads these lies must end, and they must end now," said Labrador.
To be clear, the attack ad is funded by the Idaho First PAC. The group supports Labrador's opponent, Boise businessman and doctor, Tommy Ahlquist. However, It is not affiliated with the Ahlquist campaign.
When asked about what he thought after first seeing the advertisement Labrador said, “ I just laughed and thought, did you not do your research?"
We did our research and fact-checked claims made in the advertisement, here's what KTVB found:
The first claim in the advertisement says, "In Washington, Labrador has sponsored zero bills that have become Law."
That claim is factually incorrect.
According to congressional records, during his 7 years in office, Rep. Labrador has been a part of more than 20 pieces of legislation that ultimately became law. Most of those have been as a co-sponsor.
Labrador has also successfully introduced three pieces of solo legislation that ended up becoming law through house resolutions that combine several different pieces of legislation.
Claim number two in the advertisement says, "Maybe Labrador's record would be better if he actually showed up. But Labrador misses tons of votes, more than twice the average."
The word "tons" here is subjective.
According to the same resource cited in the advertisement, govtrack.us, the fact is since 2011, Labrador has missed 4.7% of all votes. The median number of missed votes for representatives is 2.3%. So, we can confirm that Labrador's missed vote percentage is about twice the average.
Labrador says he missed those votes to be with his family in times of need.
"I have tried to be there for the most important ones. I will never apologize for missing 5% of the votes for my family and for my kids," said Labrador.
Another claim in the advertisement says that Labrador, “vote(d) against Idaho's roads and schools."
Labrador did vote against a 2015 program that would provide millions of dollars to schools and roads in rural Idaho.
According to the same Spokesman-Review article cited in the advertisement, Labrador's spokesman said he didn't vote for the measure because it was attached to an unrelated Medicare bill that would have added $141 billion to the $18 trillion of US debt.
At the time, Labrador said he wanted a lasting solution, not a two-year fix.
So, the claim is correct, Labrador on one specific occasion did vote against money for Idaho schools and roads, the advertisement simply leave out why he voted that way.
During Thursday’s news conference Labrador said, "Fake news has come to Idaho from Tommy Ahlquist and his father’s PAC."
A quick verify of Labrador's comments; The Idaho First PAC is an independent group not affiliated with Tommy Ahlquist's campaign. Under election laws, he has no control over what they do.
Labrador pointed out several times that Ahlquist's father, John Ahlquist, is behind the advertisements as a part of the PAC.
Through campaign finance information KTVB obtained from the Secretary of States Office, Ahlquist's father has contributed to Idaho First PAC. Records show he contributed $100,000 to the PAC in December 2017.
KTVB reached out to the Ahlquist campaign for a comment on what Labrador had to say. Ahlquist's Campaign Manager, David Johnston sent KTVB a statement that said, "Unable to defend his record, it looks like Congressman Labrador is becoming unhinged."
Labrador says he and his campaign are now working to show voters Ahlquist’s records, "I don't throw the first punch, but he is going to regret that he did."
After this story was orginally posted, The Idaho First PAC sent KTVB this statement:
“The ad is truthful and accurate and Raul Labrador’s ineffective record in Washington, D.C. speaks for itself. It’s important that Idaho voters learn the truth about Raul Labrador’s record of ignoring Idaho while in Washington, D.C.”
The PAC tells KTVB that when the advertisment said Labrador didn't "sponsor" any bills that became law, they meant he didn't solo sponsor any legislation that went on to become law on it's own. Which is correct.
Labrador's successful individual legislation ended up being part of bills that combined several other pieces of legislation.
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