Tom Latham announced his intention to move from the fourth district to the third district, and will challenge Rep. Leonard Boswell, a democrat, in 2012.

The new redistricting plan decreased Iowa’s districts for the U.S. House of Representatives from five districts to four districts, which would have resulted in a matchup of Republican representatives Tom Latham and Steve King in the fourth district for 2012.

“I have never let map boundaries block the great honor I have felt in representing the interests of all Iowans in the United States Congress,” said Latham in a letter to supporters. “And, after thoughtful discussions with my family, friends and supporters over the past two weeks, I am writing to share with you my decision that I will be a candidate for Congress in Iowa’s new Third Congressional District in 2012.”

In the past, both Latham and Boswell have carried a lot of support in their respective districts, but the new boundaries could create an upset.

“There’s a strong base of active democrats in Des Moines, and Congressman Boswell has represented a lot of that third district already,” said Sam Roecker, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party. “When he was in the Iowa Senate, his seat included many of those counties, so he has deep connection to that district and can definitely remain representative of the district.”

Others disagree, and said Latham can certainly keep up with Boswell in the polls.

“Congressman Latham has already represented many of the counties in the new third district, and he’s seen strong support from Warren and Madison counties as well as a host of other counties,” said Casey Mills, communications director for the Republican Party of Iowa. “I definitely think his support translates to other counties within the area, in addition to the counties he’s already represented.”

But both Congressmen have represented Iowa for multiple terms, which could mean a close race.

“I think any congressional race in Iowa is a race where you’re going to have to campaign hard and talk to voters about what you stand for,” Roecker said. “A lot of it has to do with the large number of independent voters in Iowa, and I think Congressman Boswell is a very aggressive campaigner.”

Latham’s supporters believe he can carry a win as well, pointing to the changing nature of Iowans.

“With respect to the congressional districts, I am confident that more Iowans will be represented in Congress by a Republican under this map than are today,” said Matthew Strawn, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, in a recent statement. “Congressman Boswell’s district becomes more Republican and conservative at a time when his voting record is increasingly liberal.”