As the Republican Party settled on a presidential nominee today, I believe it is time to shift some focus onto other political areas within the 2008 General Election - targeted U.S. Senate and House seats.

Since the beginning of the year, we've read nothing but bad news for our party's prospect of regaining the House of Representatives.  The National Republican Congressional Committee, the political committee devoted to increasing Republican membership in the House of Representatives, has been trailing its Democratic counterpart in fundraising for every cycle this year.  Adding on to the NRCC's trouble is the unexpected retirement of many Republican incumbents, especially those in competitive districts like Debohra Pryce of Ohio and Tom Davis of Virginia.

Well this week the NRCC finally got its first break with the early retirement of Democratic Congresswoman Darlene Hooley of Oregon.  Hooley's departure created the first Democratic-held battle ground seat.

Businessman Mike Erickson who was defeated by Hooley in 2006 by 11 points, is already running for the seat.  With the support of both the state and national parties, he is the apparent front runner in the GOP primary even if other candidates decide to jump in.