Attorney Tyler Gernant (D) announced April 5 that he is running for Congress in Montana, hoping to challenge at-large Rep. Denny Rehberg (R) in 2010.

“I am taking the first step to run for the U.S. House of Representatives to create and expand opportunities for all of us to live comfortably right here in Montana so other families never have to give up their way of life,— Gernant said in a statement.

Montana Democratic Party Chairman Dennis McDonald has already announced his bid.

Local political observers agree that any Democrat will have an uphill climb against Rehberg, who won re-election with 64 percent of the vote in 2008. The GOP’s presidential nominee won the state with 59 percent in 2004 and 49 percent in 2008.