Associated Press - November 15, 2009 3:34 PM ET

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) - U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick says he knows some of the Democratic voters who backed him in last year's election are ticked off about his "No" votes on recent health insurance legislation, a climate change bill and other issues.

The Boise Democrat is still hoping they'll support him in 2010, when he's up for re-election.

Minnick, who is 67, told the Moscow-Pullman Daily News for a story Sunday that he ran for Congress not as a career but, "in lieu of retirement." That outlook, he says, has allowed him to vote with his conscience rather than follow his party leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Minnick told the paper, "Good ideas come from both parties. Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas."

Minnick won the state's 1st Congressional District race in 2008, beating first-term Republican incumbent Bill Sali.

Information from: The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, http://www.dnews.com

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