KUOI employee Beau Baker interviews Idaho Democratic Congressional candidate, Walt Minnick, in Common Grounds. Courtesy Photo

Idaho Congressional candidate Walt Minnick made a stop at the University of Idaho on Thursday to promote his campaign and get to know some of the students on campus.
“I am drawn to colleges because I have had a career-long interest in education,” Minnick said. “Campuses are a great opportunity for me.”
Kenton Bird, the director of the School of Journalism and Mass Media, originally contacted the candidate to speak to a class on mass media and public opinion.

“It wasn’t scheduled as a campaign appearance,” Bird said. “He spoke on the use of polling in political campaigns.”
Minnick is the Democratic nominee challenging Republican incumbent Bill Sali for Idaho’s First Congressional District.
Minnick has lived in Idaho since 1974 and was raised on a wheat farm in Walla Walla. He is a self-described Army veteran, gun owner and successful businessman.
John Foster, communications director for Minnick’s campaign, said running for the congressional seat is not all about a certain party or Republicans versus Democrats for Minnick, it’s about making the right choices about the things that matter.

“I have spent my life in an environment where you are essentially negotiating common- sense solutions to problems that move the ball forward,” Minnick said.  “I think Washington is broken right now. The politicians of both parties have gotten so ideological and so partisan that problems aren’t getting solved.”
One area Minnick said he is especially interested in improving is education. He has served as chairman on the board at the College of Idaho and is a co-founder and board member of the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence, a group dedicated to improving education in the state.
“Young people are taking an interest in politics right now because of the presidential campaign,” he said. “And I need to attract young people if I am going to be successful.”

Besides his classroom appearance, Minnick was interviewed by KUOI, spoke with the College Democrats and greeted people in the Idaho Commons.
According to Foster, Sali has voted against numerous programs that would help make higher education more affordable and easily accessible.
“The contrast between Walt and Bill Sali could not be more clear, especially when it comes to things that directly impact college students,” Foster said. “From how much school research your professors are able to do, to how much you pay, to how easy you can get a loan, Sali votes against all of those programs, and Walt would be an advocate.”

According to Foster, it’s vital that students are informed about their political choices.
“I can say with a lot of confidence that there won’t be a better advocate for higher education in Congress than Walt,” Foster said.
Overall, Minnick said he wants to make sure Idaho gets all the same opportunities he has been given.

“After a career in business, I have raised four kids here, and they have received a great education,” he said. “This state has been very good to me — I think about the number of employment opportunities that I’ve had and how I love the outdoors, and I would like to have my kids and grandkids have the same opportunities.  I am going to do what I can to help create that environment for them.”

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.