Freshman Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) has escaped a potentially formidable challenge in his first re-election campaign. State Sen. John McKinney, a top Republican recruit, said in a local newspaper interview yesterday that he was choosing family over running for the seat his late father Stewart held for 16 years.

In 2008, Himes knocked off the last remaining Republican in Connecticut, Chris Shays -- who had taken over the seat following Stewart McKinney's death in 1987. Himes won with just 51 percent of the vote in the 4th District, the state's wealthiest. John Kerry and Al Gore both won the district, though by far less than the 20 points President Obama carried it by last year.

National Republicans have targeted Himes' district and were hoping a familiar name could help win back the seat. Other potential GOP candidates include state Sen. Dan Debicella and Rob Russo, a former state Senate candidate, according to the Stamford Advocate.

Himes isn't taking his re-election lightly, though, so any challenger would likely need to come close to matching his so-far impressive fundraising haul. He's raised nearly $1 million through six months of the year. To win this expensive, New York City-area district in the last cycle, Himes spent $3.9 million against Shays, who spent nearly as much.