The Seattle Times this morning takes a close look at the race for Washington state's 3rd district, an open seat contest that the national Republican Party is aiming for in November. Democratic Rep. Brian Baird, who's represented the swing district for six terms, announced his retirement in December.

Baird has endorsed Denny Heck of Olympia to replace him. The former state representative and chief of staff for Gov. Booth Gardner is the clear Democratic front-runner, with more than $500,000 in the bank. Federal records show he's loaned his campaign $250,000.

Republicans, though, see opportunity.

Voters are restless as the economy struggles. The new national health-care law remains unpopular with many. And Democrats in the state Legislature just approved $800 million in unpopular taxes, including those on beer, soda and candy.

The National Republican Congressional Committee considers the 3rd District a key race and already has made targeted phone calls there. It plans to devote more resources to the race later.

The primary is Aug. 17, and the frontrunners for the GOP nomination are state Rep. Jaime Herrera and financial adviser David Castillo, who worked in the Bush administration. Herrera is in the first tier of the NRCC's Young Guns program, and through the end of March Herrerra had nearly three times as much money on hand.

Either Republican will be at a financial disadvantage in the general election, but on their side is the mood of the country. The GOP is targeting districts with a larger Democratic advantage than this, and if the party is to win back the House this year, WA-3 is the kind of district it will need to pick up.

RCP rates this race a Toss Up.

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