Attorney Tom Myers has announced he is running in the 3rd district Democratic primary and hopes to earn the right to challenge Rep. Phil English (R) in November 2008.

Myers, on the board of the YMCA of Greater Erie, will first have to get by Erie County Councilman Kyle Foust (D), who was recruited into the race by Democrats on Capitol Hill and already has launched his campaign.

“Phil English is part of the problem in Washington, not part of the solution,” Myers said in a statement.

Despite facing token opposition, English won re-election in the Republican-leaning 3rd district last year by a far smaller margin than in previous cycles, and Democrats feel he would be vulnerable against a well-funded challenger. In the previous cycle, English outspent retired school administrator Steve Porter (D) $1.4 million to $63,000.
— David M. Drucker