An intramural fight is breaking out among Idaho Republican legislators

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BOISE, Idaho — A simmering Capitol feud over illegal immigration boiled over Monday when a north Idaho Republican demanded a party colleague quit the 1st Congressional District primary race because he works as an immigration lawyer.

State Rep. Raul Labrador of Eagle should abandon his run for the seat now held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, according to an e-mail from state Sen. Mike Jorgenson of Hayden.

"Raul Labrador is an immigration attorney and admits to defending illegal immigrants in his law practice," Jorgenson told news outlets. "His pro-illegal immigrant stances are wrong for Idaho taxpayers and Idaho's unemployed."

Labrador, who has a practice in Nampa that specializes in criminal and immigration law, responded that Jorgenson is a "fringe player" in the Idaho Legislature who harbors a grudge.

Labrador has clashed with Jorgenson in the past on state immigration legislation.

For instance, in 2007, he voted against a Jorgenson-backed bill to bar illegal immigrants from receiving state benefits, arguing not enough was known about the measure's real cost. Labrador has also questioned failed measures supported by Jorgenson aimed at punishing Idaho employers who don't verify workers' status.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/1000344.html