As we reported Tuesday, incumbent Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell may be the most vulnerable of her party's seats in the upper body this year. Republican businessman Mike McGavick is running a strong campaign and is closing in the polls, while Cantwell remains under fire from the antiwar left for her support for the Iraq War and Bush policies on the War on Terror. She may have trouble retaining the seat she won by only 2000 votes in 2000.

Not that she isn't trying. She's hired one of her far-left primary opponents as an $8000/month consultant, and may have offered a similar deal to her remaining opponent, as Christina Bellantoni of The Washington Times reports:

Republicans are preparing for bruising midterm elections, but they see a bright spot on the electoral map in Washington, where Sen. Maria Cantwell is considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents.

The freshman senator is receiving criticism from the left and right and faces a primary challenge on Sept. 19.

Republican opponent Mike McGavick is a wealthy businessman who can fund most of his campaign, but party faithful also are banking on strong grass-roots support. Many state Republicans are still angry about the 2004 gubernatorial race, which their candidate, Dino Rossi, lost by fewer than 200 votes after two recounts and a court battle.

"I think Washington Republicans felt ripped off when they lost their governor's race as it finished up last time," said Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, New York Republican and chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. "That gives us some added bonus."

Mr. Reynolds said he has seen intense voter interest in Miss Cantwell's seat and some House seats.

Miss Cantwell, 47, leads Mr. McGavick in all statewide polls, but by no more than five percentage points and with many voters still undecided.

Read the rest at the link above.

McGavick is not only just the type of candidate best equipped to unseat Cantwell, he's also the type of Senator we need in Washington. He's one of the candidates endorsed by the Rightroots blogger effort to support conservative candidates in key races in 2006.

This is one race to watch, and we WILL be watching it closely.