Roberts joins GOP’s field for Congress

CALDWELL, Idaho – State House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts says he’ll run in the 2010 Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District U.S. House seat.

Roberts, a Republican from Donnelly, made the announcement at a GOP event at a winery near Caldwell on Friday.

Vaughn Ward, a former campaign worker for GOP presidential candidate John McCain who also said he’s running in the primary, was also at the event.

The seat is now held by U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, a Democrat from Boise.

Ward, who told the Idaho Press-Tribune he’s raised about $80,000 so far, and Roberts both criticized Minnick, saying that he votes like a conservative but supports Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

They’ll have to win the GOP nomination, however, before challenging Minnick, and former U.S. Rep. Bill Sali says he’s also considering a renewed run.