Incumbent Representative Butch Otter announced that he would leave Congress to run for Governor. In a field of six candidates, the controversial Bill Sali, won the primary with 26% of the vote. Sali clashed repeatedly with Republican leadership in the Idaho Legislature. As a result, many Republicans declared they would support Grant. All this gave Grant a boost in the general election, but Sali remained favored given the GOP tilt of the area and the popular Otter at the top of the ticket. Grant made gains late in the campaign, but Sali held on to win 50% to 45%, a close margin considering Idaho's 1st district supported George W. Bush's reelection in 2004 by 68% to 30%.