Here's some potentially exciting news out of America's Heartland this weekend.  Two-term State Representative Raj Goyle plans to run for Kansas' 4th Congressional Seat. He revealed his intentions at a Democracy for America's training session on Saturday.

According to this report:

In his second term in the state House of Representatives, Goyle has been one of the quickest studies in the legislature, having pushed legislation through the House in his both his first two terms. In 2007, he wrote the law limiting the access of the group led by Fred Phelps to the funerals of soldiers killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He takes pride in the fact that he has never missed a vote, never taken a meal or other gift from a lobbyist, and never taken a taxpayer-funded trip. An attorney and lecturer at Wichita State University, he serves on the House Taxation, Judiciary and Vision 2020 committees, as well as serving as ranking minority member on the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.

A native of India, he came to the United States with his parents when he was three months old. His parents, both doctors, have run a small medical clinic in Wichita, Kansas, for more than 30 years, and Goyle was raised there before graduating from Duke University and Harvard Law School. After law school, Goyle clerked for a federal judge, then worked as an advocate for better schools and improved voting rights for the disabled. He also served as an expert on homeland security issues He and his wife, Monica, returned to Wichita in 2005 before his first run and win in the 87th District, defeating Bonnie Huy in 2006.

I've met and spoken to Representative Goyle a few times at national Democratic gatherings and most recently about our AAPI House Party back in May.  From my brief interaction, he seems really knowledgeable, approachable and personable and the fact that he announced at a DFA training is a great sign.  (He also campaigned in Phillly for Obama.)

However, the truth of the matter is that the 4th Congressional District in Kansas is a tough place for Democrats.  Voters in that district favored John McCain by 58% to 40% over Barack Obama.  But it is an open seat as the current Representative, Todd Tiahrt, is stepping down to run for Senate.

We'll be keeping an eye on this one.  Here's his website, still mainly under construction.