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REGION — Another fresh-faced Greenwich Democrat is challenging a federal lawmaker over his support for the Iraq war.

But this time, the targeted incumbent is a Republican.

Jim Himes, chairman of the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee, announced Wednesday he is taking on veteran U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4.

But as it was with Shays' previous opponent, former Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell, Himes said his primary concern is the congressman's support for the Iraq war.

"The last go around, Chris Shays deliberately deceived his constituents by calling for a timeline for the war in Iraq right before the election," Himes said. "Right after the election, he turned himself around to support President Bush's escalation. We're going to hold him accountable for that."

Himes said the United States should begin withdrawing troops from Iraq "as soon as possible and in as orderly a way as possible."

Shays has visited Iraq 16 times since the 2003 invasion and was a strong supporter early in the war, but last August he called for a timeline for U.S. troop withdrawal. Last month, he voted against a Democratic war funding bill that included timelines, saying President Bush should set the date, not Congress.

Himes has spoken with Democratic organizers in Washington, as well as party leaders across the 4th District. Last week, he spoke to a gathering of Democratic town committee chairmen at a Westport restaurant.

"I am pleased that we have a Democratic candidate who intends to challenge Chris Shays, as Shays continues to waffle on the war and follow the failed policies of President Bush," said Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the Democratic State Central Committee.

But DiNardo said she is open to other Democratic contenders and Himes may face competition for the party's nomination. State Rep. Jim Shapiro, D-148, has also expressed interest in a congressional run and said Wednesday he will make a decision "sooner rather than later."

"I want to make sure I talk to everyone I need to talk to," Shapiro said. "I also have some personal and family decisions (to make)."

Shapiro added that he has also spoken with Democratic organizers in Washington and the 4th District.

Less than six months ago, Shays defeated Farrell, 51 percent to 48 percent. While it was the congressman's narrowest victory since he was first elected in 1987, he was the only one of five GOP House incumbents in New England to keep his seat.

While Shays' support dropped in the 4th District's affluent suburbs last year, turnout plummeted in the Democratic stronghold of Bridgeport. Democratic strategists have noted that the 4th District has voted for Democrats in the last several presidential campaigns, and political science professor Gary Rose said that could give Shays' challenger an edge.

"We do know in 2008 we're going to have a very different top of the ticket," said Rose, who heads Sacred Heart University's political science department. "Shays does not have (Republican Gov.) Jodi Rell at the top of the ticket with 80 percent approval ratings anymore."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee poured resources into the 4th District in 2006 and is poised to do the same next year.

"It's one of our top pickup seats for 2008," said Carrie James, a DCCC spokeswoman.

Shays' campaign manager, Michael Sohn, said the congressman is working to serve his district, not get re-elected.

"Chris is just focused on doing his job in Washington right now," Sohn said. "There are a lot of issues on Congress's agenda and Chris is down in Washington (and) spending time with his constituents here in the district."

Himes is an elected member of the Greenwich Board of Estimate & Taxation. He is vice president of Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit firm that invests in affordable housing.

Born in Lima, Peru, Himes said he spent much of his childhood living in Latin America and speaks fluent Spanish. In 2006, Farrell's campaign considered the 4th District's 12.5 percent Latino population a key demographic.

Himes lives in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich with his wife, Mary, and daughters Emma, 7, and Linley, 4.

Last spring, another Greenwich Democrat was considering a run for office. Ned Lamont eventually defeated sitting U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in the Democratic primary, but lost the general election when Lieberman stayed in the race as an independent.

One obstacle Himes faces is his anonymity, Rose said, noting local party chairmen enjoy little public prominence outside their own communities.

"The first question people are going to ask is, 'Who is he?'" Rose said. "That, in and of itself, right there causes a problem. Where is the name recognition?"