Walt Minnick

{{Short description|American politician (born 1942)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Walt Minnick | image = Walt Minnick official photo.jpg | state = Idaho | district = {{ushr|ID|1|1st}} | term_start = January 3, 2009 | term_end = January 3, 2011 | predecessor = Bill Sali | successor = Raúl Labrador | birth_name = Walter Clifford Minnick | birth_date = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1942|9|20}}}} | birth_place = Walla Walla, Washington, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = {{ubl | Independent (before 1996) | Democratic (1996–present) }} | spouse = Lienhart Minnick | children = 1 | education = {{ubl | Whitman College (BA) | Harvard University (MBA, JD) }} | branch = United States Army | rank = First Lieutenant<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/230809-an-independent-mind |title=Former Rep. Minnick blazes his own trail |last=Leven |first=Rachel |date=June 5, 2012 |website=The Hill |access-date=February 14, 2022 |quote=He served as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army}}</ref> | service_years = 1970–1972 | battles = Vietnam War }} '''Walter Clifford Minnick''' (born September 20, 1942) is an American businessman, politician, and lobbyist who served as a U.S. representative for {{ushr|Idaho|1|}}, serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and is the last Democrat to represent Idaho in Congress.

The district is in the western part of the state, and includes roughly one-fourth of Boise and most of its suburbs, as well as Meridian and Nampa. It also includes the cities of Lewiston, Moscow and Coeur d'Alene.

In 2008, Minnick defeated incumbent Bill Sali to win his seat. In 2010, he was defeated by challenger Raúl Labrador in the general election.<ref>[http://www.sacbee.com/2010/11/03/3156656/idaho-democrat-minnicks-defeat.html sacbee.com]{{dead link|date=October 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Idaho Democrat Minnick's defeat turns red state redder</ref>

==Early life, education and career== Minnick was born in Walla Walla, Washington, and grew up on a wheat farm. In 1964 he received his bachelor's degree from Whitman College, where he was on the debate team, and was then accepted by Harvard Business School. After graduating with an MBA in 1966, he entered Harvard Law School, and graduated with a JD in 1969.

A veteran who served in the Army and Pentagon during the Vietnam War, he is the former leader of a forestry industry and founder of a chain of retail nurseries, SummerWinds Garden Centers.<ref>[http://www.2news.tv/news/local/33846074.html Minnick overcomes tight race, beats Sali.] Associated Press. December 18, 2008.</ref><ref name="running">Meyer, Greg. [http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/11325586.html Minnick brings out a heavy hitter], KLEW-TV, November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2008.</ref> Minnick also served as CEO of TJ International (acquired by Weyerhaeuser in 1999<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021228090713/http://money.cnn.com/1999/11/23/deals/weyerhaeuser/index.htm Timber giant to buy TJ Intl.] CNN. November 23, 1999.</ref>) and has served on the board of directors of several corporations and nonprofit organizations.

==Early political career== Minnick served as a staff assistant to President Richard Nixon on the White House Domestic Council from 1971 to 1972 and as a deputy assistant director for the Office of Management and Budget from 1972 to 1973. He was also involved in the creation of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Minnick resigned from the administration in October 1973 in protest of the Watergate-era "Saturday Night massacre" in which Nixon dismissed United States Attorney General Elliot Richardson, special prosecutor Archibald Cox, and others.<ref>Abruzzese, Sarah. [https://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/12/13/13greenwire-rep-walt-minnick-offers-a-one-termers-perspect-70314.html?pagewanted=all "Rep. Walt Minnick Offers a One-Termer's Perspective."] ''The New York Times''. December 13, 2010.</ref>

==1996 Senate bid== {{Main|1996 United States Senate election in Idaho}} Minnick, who long considered himself a political independent, was recruited to run against incumbent Republican Senator Larry Craig in the 1996 Senate election in Idaho by then-Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska. Although Minnick originally intended to enter the race as an Independent, he was convinced to run as a Democrat by former Idaho Governor Cecil D. Andrus.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">Broder, David S. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/07/AR2009010702644.html Tales From Longworth.] ''The Washington Post.'' January 8, 2009.</ref> Minnick lost to Craig by 85,110 votes, receiving 40% of the vote to Craig's 57%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=96 PRESIDENTIAL and CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION STATISTICS |url=https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1996/96Stat.htm#12 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=clerk.house.gov}}</ref> Minnick would have the single best performance of any Democrat against Craig, who would win his two other terms with over 60% of the vote.

==United States Representative==

===Elections=== ====2008==== {{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 1}} Minnick ran unopposed in the 2008 Democratic primary held in late May. An expected primary challenge by 2006 nominee Larry Grant was averted when Grant withdrew from the race and endorsed Minnick the month prior. Although the 1st is a heavily Republican district, Democrats thought they had a realistic chance of winning the district because the Republican incumbent, Bill Sali, had been a lightning rod for controversy.

In the November 4, 2008 general election, Minnick narrowly defeated Sali by 4,211 votes votes, taking 51% of the vote to Sali's 49%. While Minnick carried only seven of the district's 18 counties, he prevailed largely by winning the district's share of Ada County, home to Boise and more than two-thirds of the district's vote. With his victory, Minnick represented the third most Republican district in the nation to be held by a Democrat and he became the first Democrat to represent Idaho at the federal level since Larry LaRocco, who represented the 1st District for two terms until the 1994 elections. At the time, the district had a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+18. John McCain easily carried the district with 62% of the vote in 2008.

====2010==== {{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 1}} Minnick was the only Democrat endorsed by the Tea Party Express, a conservative group.<ref>[https://theweek.com/article/index/202139/walt-minnick-the-tea-partys-token-democrat "Walt Minnick: The Tea Party's 'token Democrat'?"] The Week. April 22, 2010</ref> Minnick was challenged by Republican state Representative Raúl Labrador, Libertarian Mike Washburn, and Independent Dave Olson. Despite polls showing Minnick leading, Labrador defeated him by 24,096 votes in an upset. Since Minnick left office, no other Democrat has represented Idaho in Congress.

===Tenure=== After taking office, Minnick joined the Blue Dog Coalition of House Democrats.<ref>[http://www.house.gov/melancon/BlueDogs/Member%20Page.html Blue Dog Coalition Members]</ref> He voted with his party 71% of the time.<ref>[http://www.opencongress.org/person/show/412300_Walter_Minnick Rep. Walt Minnick, Idaho (D)] ''OpenCongress''.</ref><ref>[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/M001175/ Members of Congress / Walt Minnick] Washington Post U.S. Congress Votes Database. Retrieved March 22, 2010.</ref>

In January 2009, Minnick joined with 10 other Democrats to oppose the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll046.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 46] ''House.gov''</ref> In June 2009, Congressman Minnick voted with 43 other Democrats against the American Clean Energy and Security Act,<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 477 (American Clean Energy and Security Act)] ''House.gov''</ref> and in December 2009, voted with 38 other Democrats against the Affordable Health Care for America Act.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 887 (Affordable Health Care for America Act)] ''House.gov''</ref> Minnick was the lone Democrat to receive a perfect score from the Club for Growth on their RePork Card ratings, for his votes to cut spending in Congress.<ref>Cadei, Emily. [http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/08/minnick-earns-perfect-score-on.html Minnick Earns Perfect Score on 'RePork Card'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816094334/http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/08/minnick-earns-perfect-score-on.html |date=August 16, 2009 }} ''CQ Politics.'' August 13, 2009.</ref>

Minnick voted against the Stupak–Pitts Amendment which proposed to put restrictions on federal funds "to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion" except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/1/884 |title=House Vote 884 - Restricts Federal Funding for Abortion |work=The New York Times |access-date=23 August 2010}}</ref> On March 21, 2010, Minnick voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that President Barack Obama signed into law on March 23, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/03/22/1126443/idaho-reaction-to-the-congressional.html |title=Idaho reaction to the congressional vote on the health care bill |publisher=Idaho Statesman |date=March 22, 2010 |access-date=12 July 2010}}</ref> Minnick said that there is very little cost control in the bill.<ref>http://www.idahoreporter.con/2010/minnick-says-health-care-will-be-congressional-issue-for-next-decade/ {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref>

Minnick voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009,<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll037.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 37 (Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009)] ''House.gov''</ref> the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009,<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll104.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 104 (Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009)] ''House.gov''</ref> the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll187.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 187 (Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act)] ''House.gov''</ref> the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act,<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll223.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 223 (Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act)] ''House.gov''</ref> and against establishing spending caps through fiscal year 2014.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll610.xml FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 610]. Retrieved March 22, 2010.</ref>

===Committee assignments=== *Committee on Agriculture **Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research **Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry **Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture *Committee on Financial Services **Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises **Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit

== Later career == After leaving office, he co-founded the lobbying firm The Majority Group with his former chief-of-staff Rob Ellsworth and Wall Street attorney Chris DiAngelo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://majoritygroupdc.com/about/|title=About The Majority Group {{!}} The Majority Group|date=May 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502065204/http://majoritygroupdc.com/about/|archive-date=2012-05-02|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://majoritygroupdc.com/the-team/walt-minnick/|title=Walt Minnick {{!}} The Majority Group|date=March 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324034944/http://majoritygroupdc.com/the-team/walt-minnick/|archive-date=2012-03-24|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref><ref>Politico.com (2011). [https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/former-blue-dogs-find-lobbying-jobs-055025 Former Blue Dogs find lobby deals]. Retrieved May 16, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/116082-former-rep-minnick-blazes-his-own-trail/ | newspaper=The Hill | author=Rachel Leven | date=June 5, 2012 | title=Former Rep Minnick blazes own trail}}</ref>

==Electoral history== {{Election box begin | title=2010 Election for U.S. Representative of Idaho's 1st Congressional District }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Raúl Labrador |votes = 126,231 |percentage = 51.0 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Walt Minnick (incumbent) |votes = 102,135 |percentage = 41.3 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Independent |candidate = Dave Olson |votes = 14,365 |percentage = 5.8 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Mike Washburn |votes = 4,696 |percentage = 1.9 |change = }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=2008 Election for U.S. Representative of Idaho's 1st Congressional District }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Walt Minnick |votes = 175,567 |percentage = 50.61 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Bill Sali (incumbent) |votes = 171,324 |percentage = 49.39 |change = }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=1996 Election for U.S. Senate }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Larry Craig (incumbent) |votes = 283,532 |percentage = 57.02 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Walt Minnick |votes = 198,422 |percentage = 39.91 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Independent |candidate = Mary J. Charbonneau |votes = 10,137 |percentage = 2.04 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Natural Law Party (United States) |candidate = Susan Vegors |votes = 5,142 |percentage = 1.03 |change = }} {{Election box end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.waltforcongress.org/ Walt Minnick for U.S. Congress] ''official campaign site'' * {{CongLinks | congbio=M001175 | votesmart=436 | fec=H8ID01090 | congress= }} *{{C-SPAN|45757}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Minnick, Walt}} Category:1942 births Category:21st-century United States representatives Category:American Unitarian Universalists Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Idaho Category:Harvard Business School alumni Category:Harvard Law School alumni Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States Congress who became lobbyists Category:Nixon administration personnel Category:Phi Delta Theta members Category:Politicians from Walla Walla, Washington Category:Whitman College alumni