Longtime state Sen. Don Benton (R) announced over the weekend that he will challenge Sen. Patty Murray (D), according to several local reports.

It’s still an uphill climb for Benton, who told local media that he was inspired to get into the race because of Sen. Scott Brown’s (R-Mass.) recent upset victory. But the veteran state lawmaker is the first potentially competitive candidate to enter the race against Murray, who ended last year with almost $5.2 million in her campaign war chest.

Other GOP candidates include businessman Chris Widener, former professional football player Clint Didier and several other little-known candidates.