Vasquez to run for 1st CD

A Canyon County commissioner adamantly opposed to unlawful immigration may run for Congress.

In December, U.S. Rep. Butch Otter, R-Idaho, filed the required papers to begin a campaign for governor. His expected vacancy has many politicians looking at the congressional job — including Republican Robert Vasquez, who has formed an exploratory committee to look into a bid for the 1st District seat.

Vasquez recently spearheaded the commission's request to ask Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to declare Canyon County a disaster area due to an anticipated "imminent invasion" of illegal immigrants.

Vasquez said a comic book-style guide allegedly providing safety advice for Mexican nationals planning to illegally enter the United States prompted such action.

In a resolution approved last month, the commissioners blamed undocumented residents for increasing crime, spreading infectious diseases and causing fatal car accidents. The commissioners asked the state for money to cover related costs.

Vasquez has taken similar unconventional measures before. Last year, he tried to bill the Mexican government $2 million for reimbursement of jail and medical treatment costs he claimed the county provided to Mexican citizens.
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