A group of Republican supporters of Democrat Walt Minnick announced they had nearly doubled their ranks Wednesday to total more than 100 members, with only six days left in one of the nation’s tightest races against incumbent Rep. Bill Sali (R-Idaho).
The group, Republicans for Minnick, includes the names of several prominent Republicans such as Jim Hawkins, former director of the Idaho Department of Commerce.
“He shares our conservative values of fiscal responsibility and limited government,” the group’s website states. “We can no longer afford to have a representative who does not understand the needs of Idaho businesses. We can no longer afford a representative who refuses to help our governor and our legislature. And we can no longer afford a representative who is ineffective in Washington.”
Minnick’s campaign also said Wednesday that it had locked down more than 5,000 Republicans in Idaho who claim they are planning to vote for Minnick.
“I am pleased to have such strong support from across the political spectrum,” Minnick said. “With one week to go before Election Day, it’s clear that Republicans, Democrats and independents want a representative who can work effectively to fix the broken system in Washington.”
First-term Sali won his seat in 2006, beating out Democrat Larry Grant with 5 percent of the vote.
–Jordy Yager