State Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D) appears to be gearing up for a rematch with Rep. Mike Ferguson (R).

Stender was in Washington, D.C., late last week to meet with Democratic officials and leaders of Democratic-leaning interest groups about a possible run. But Stender said she is not prepared to officially launch her candidacy — and is unlikely to do much fundraising — until after her race for re-election to the Legislature is completed this November. That may be significant because Stender did not get into the 2006 race until December 2005, giving Ferguson a substantial head start raising money.

The Congressman spent about $3 million to win 49 percent of the vote in November, the lowest percentage of his four election victories. Stender spent more than $1.8 million to finish about 3,300 votes behind.

Through Dec. 31, Ferguson had $72,000 in the bank but also carried a $240,000 debt. Stender had just $8,000 in her Congressional account.
— Josh Kurtz