Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick's re-election bid was endorsed by the Idaho Associated General Contractors today, along with its national organization, the Associated General Contractors of America. Minnick joined Idaho AGC's president, Burke Hansen, and executive director, Mark Dunham, at an Eagle-area concrete plant for the announcement. "Congressman Minnick has proven himself to be a pragmatic, fair, and proactive representative of the people of Idaho," said Hansen, president of Hansen-Rice, Inc. "His background in business lends itself well to identifying problems and, more importantly, identifying solutions. He is pro-business and pro-solution." You can read Minnick's full announcement here.

Raul Labrador, Minnick's GOP challenger, derided the group - one of the largest and most influential trade associations in Idaho - for endorsing Minnick. "More government spending with Minnick and Pelosi will only be paid for by higher taxes. Therefore the endorsement made by the Associated General Contractors today shows that they are in favor of raising taxes to fund the liberal spending policies of Minnick and his Democrat friends, even in the middle of a recession," Labrador said in a statement. "I am not only against that, but I will fight for the interests of Idahoans." You can read his full statement here.