The Republican Party’s best chance to pick up a House seat in Connecticut lies in the 4th District represented by a freshman Democrat Jim Himes, but state Sen. John McKinney’s decision to pass on a challenge to Himes now leaves the prospects for the GOP in the hands of three young congressional hopefuls, none north of his mid-30s.

The two most serious contenders at this point are state Sen. Dan Debicella of Shelton, Conn., who graduated from college in 1996, and attorney and former state Sen. Robert Russo, who earned his bachelors’ degree in ’97. Both are in exploratory mode, having backed McKinney until his surprise announcement last week that we would not seek the seat.

McKinney, a top GOP recruit, told local press that he didn’t want to give up time with his family to run for Congress.