Iraq War veteran Matt Salisbury is challenging freshman Rep. Bill Sali in the 2008 Republican primary, and has at least one prominent Idaho GOP hand on board his insurgent campaign.

Former Canyon County Republican Party Chairman Pat Takasugi, a farmer and the ex-director of the state Department of Agriculture under three governors, is chairing Salisbury’s campaign.

Salisbury has never run for elective office.

Despite representing a heavily Republican district, Sali limped to victory in the general election in November after winning just 26 percent of the vote in a crowded GOP primary.

— David M. Drucker