GOP lands Rep. Space challenger

Ohio state Sen. Bob Gibbs (R) has filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to challenge Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio) in 2010.

This should come as a major relief to the GOP, which has targeted Space as one of the most vulnerable Democrats but has been unable to land a solid challenger since he was elected in 2006. Space's district went for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) by eight points last year.

There was no announcement accompanying Gibbs's filing, but the National Republican Congressional Committee is playing up Gibbs's filing.

Gibbs joined the state Senate this year after six years in the state House.

Repeat candidate Jeanette Moll (R) has been raising money for a second straight run at the seat, but no Republican was able to assert him- or herself as a serious opponent in 2008. Moll finished second in the primary.