State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R) announced last week that he will not challenge freshman Rep. Jim Himes (D) in 2010.

McKinney, the son of the late Rep. Stewart McKinney (R), had been viewed as the GOP’s leading candidate to take on Himes, who ousted then-Rep. Christopher Shays (R) in 2008.

With McKinney on the sidelines, other Republican names mentioned for the 4th district race are state Sen. Dan Debicella and attorney Rob Russo, a former aide to Shays. Nonprofit executive Will Gregory (R) is already in the race.

The southwestern district is anchored by Stamford and Bridgeport and favors Democrats.