Minnick statement on Grant withdrawal

News Release

By Walt Minnick Campaign - April 10, 2008

Walt Minnick today issued the following statement on the decision by Larry Grant to withdraw from the Democratic primary in Idaho’s First Congressional District:

I first got to know Larry Grant years ago when he was helping grow a small technology company into Idaho’s largest employer. He has always been a decent, honest, trustworthy, good man. I’ve always been proud to call him my friend, and today I’m proud to call him a partner and a supporter.

I want to thank Larry for all he’s done over the last three years to raise awareness of the great need for a new direction in Washington and for real representation for Idaho. He has worked so very hard to shine a light on the terrible record of Bill Sali. That’s why I am honored and humbled by Larry’s decision, and I will not him or his supporters down.

Over the last few months Larry Grant and I have campaigned at picnics, at town-hall meetings, at schools and in people’s homes. We’ve both spoken passionately about suffering schools, about the struggles of the middle class and about Idahoans who can’t pay their medical bills. We’ve seen the terrible impacts from our nation’s broken energy policy. And just this week we’ve both grieved along with all of Idaho about two native sons who gave their lives in Iraq.

These are difficult times. Getting through them will take the kind of bridge-building and collaboration Larry Grant showed today. It will take reaching out to every Idahoan and working together to find solutions to the problems facing this state and this nation. It will take real leadership.

And it will take a real change in Washington.

With your help, with the support of Larry Grant and his grassroots team, with the support of Cecil Andrus, with the support of independents, of Democrats, of Republicans - of Idahoans - we can together make that change.

Between now and November I will do everything I can to demonstrate that I will be an effective congressman for Idaho, someone who can again make our state proud.