I’m in the process of opening a new insurance office in the Boise area (and consequently neglecting my blogly duties, sorry). Today I was up there signing some papers and took the opportunity to meet with 2nd District Congressional candidate Debbie Holmes, who I’m serving as campaign treasurer for. She broke the news to me that Larry Grant had dropped out of the 1st CD race.
I was stunned. This had all the makings of a clean and competitive primary that could have drawn a lot of attention to Idaho Democrats. Nevertheless, I understand Larry’s point of view.
“There isn’t ten cents worth of difference between my view of the world and Walt Minnick’s,” Grant said in his withdrawal statement today. “That’s why we need to be working together to beat Bill Sali, not spending valuable time and resources in a contentious primary.”
I have a great deal of respect for Larry Grant. Although I resolved to personally stay neutral in the 1st CD primary, Grant’s commitment to grassroots politics and willingness to personally address matters in the blogosphere in a manner that few candidates in either party would dare attempt doesn’t go unnoticed. A few months ago I declared over at 43SB that “Larry Grant is not a wuss”. That statement is as true today as it ever was.
That said, the choice in the 1st CD is now as plain as can be: help defeat one of the most obscenely statist Republicans in the nation and support Walt Minnick with fervor. As for Grant, I hope to see him around again very soon, maybe even in a race that I can vote for him here in Twin Falls.
