Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick has made quite a name for himself this year as a conservative “Blue Dog” Democrat. But he’s not conservative enough for Republicans. Two GOP challengers are already on the campaign trail and the party has made that seat a top priority for 2010. Inland Northwest Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

Many Idaho Republicans were surprised when conservative Democrat Walt Minnick rode the Obama wave into office last November. After all, Minnick represents a district that’s been almost exclusively Republican for the last two generations.

Joanna Burgos from the National Republican Congressional Committee says the GOP is already working to get the seat back.

Burgos: “We have purchased ads, not for a particular candidate, but mostly just educating the public on the choices that Walt Minnick is making in Congress.”

It’s also making robocalls into the district.

But Minnick spokesman John Foster counters that the representative has shown an independent streak. He says the congressman has already raised more than a million dollars for his next campaign.

Retired Marine officer Vaughn Ward and Idaho State Representative Raul Labrador are the two of the Republicans who are vying to challenge Minnick.

Copyright 2009 Northwest News Network

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