GOP Congressional candidate Vaughn Ward begins a 14-stop “Official Ward for Congress Announcement Tour" in Emmett Tuesday morning. Later that day, at 3 p.m., he will be joined by former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna for a press conference on the Statehouse steps.

Ward, of Eagle, is a Marine reservist making his first run for office. An Idaho native, Ward left the state after graduating from Boise State University to work on Capitol Hill in the 1990s as an aide to Kempthorne, who then was in the U.S. Senate. In the Marines, Ward served in Iraq and also worked for the CIA.

In 2007, Ward returned to Idaho and considered challenging Republican Rep. Bill Sali in the May 2008 GOP primary. Instead, Ward waited until Sali was defeated in November 2008 by Democrat Walt Minnick. Now, Ward faces state Rep. Raul Labrador of Eagle for their party’s nomination to oppose Minnick in November.

In a news release announcing his tour, Ward wrote, “The eyes' of our Nation are on this race and it is viewed as our best opportunity to send Nancy Pelosi a clear message: We will not stand for out of control spending, more government intrusion, and higher taxes. This district is ground zero and where taking back our country begins!”

The list of Ward’s campaign stops follows:

Tuesday - January 26th

8:00 a.m. - Emmett
Cold Mountain Creek Restaurant
1825 Hwy 16

Noon - Meridian
Louie's Meridian
2500 East Fairview Avenue

3:00 p.m. - Boise Press Conference
With Special Guests
Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and
Superintendent Tom Luna
State Capital Steps

Wednesday - January 27th

7:30 a.m. - Bonners Ferry
Chic and Chop
6421 Main Street

11:30 a.m. - Sandpoint
Ivano's Ristorante & Café
102 South First Street

2:00 p.m. - Coeur d'Alene Press Conference
Ground Force Manufacturing
5650 East Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID

4:00 p.m. - Wallace
Wallace Inn
100 Front Street

6:30 p.m. - Post Falls
G.W. Hunter's Restaurant
615 North Spokane Street

Thursday - January 28th

7:30 a.m. - St. Maries
Saint Maries Golf Course
900 Golf Course Rd

10:00 a.m. - Moscow
Eastside Marketplace
1420 South Blain Street

Noon - Lewiston
Red Lion
621 21st Street

5:00 p.m. - Grangeville
Oscar's Restaurant
101 East Main Street

Friday - January 29th

2:00 p.m. - Wilder
Alejandro's Restaurant
308 A Avenue

3:00 p.m. - Homedale
Idaho Pizza Company
138 East Idaho Avenue

5:00 p.m. - Caldwell
Orphan Annie's Bar and Grill
801 Everett Street

For More information contact Ryan@vaughnward.com or (208) 841-5804