1st Congressional District candidate Rep. Shirley Ringo (D-Moscow) says Congressman Labrador admits that he has ignored some Idaho communities.
For four years, Congressman Labrador avoided parts of northern Idaho, specifically Priest Lake. In his Congressional newsletter, Labrador wrote, "We began at Priest Lake, near Coolin. I'd never seen the northernmost of the 1st District's three big glacial lakes and it was well worth the wait."
"Coolin and the rest of northern Idaho should not have to wait four years for a visit from their congressman," Ringo said. "He's a public servant, not a super star. Mr. Labrador says Coolin was "worth the wait.' I wonder if folks in Coolin think it was worth waiting four years for their Congressman to notice them?
Idaho's average per person income is 50th in the nation. Boundary County residents, just north of Coolin, average about $18,000--much less than Idaho's low average. The populations of Bonner and Boundary counties have decreased since Labrador took office. Still, the Congressman won't meet his constituents: he held a town hall meeting on a Tuesday at noon in a busy tourism month for Coolin.
"A mid-day meeting on Tuesday excludes working Idahoans. Folks in northern Idaho tell me they worry about low wages, lack of opportunity for their children, and they want better forest management plans to build economic prosperity," Ringo said. "When I am elected, I will put Idaho families and small businesses first."