Back in April I suggested that GOP Rep. Tom Feeney's alleged ties with Jack Abramoff could put his hopes of reelection in Florida's 24th district in jeopardy. Now it sounds like the Democrats may have recruited the type of candidate to capitalize on Feeney's potential weakness.

Suzanne Kosmas, a former Democratic state lawmaker, announced Wednesday that she plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney -- setting up a potential barn-burner between the two veteran politicians.

Kosmas, who served in the state House between 1996 and 2004, is the first serious threat to Feeney since the Oviedo Republican won his seat in 2002.

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Now a 63-year-old grandmother, Kosmas was a Democratic leader in the Florida House before term limits forced her to resign in 2004. While there, she earned a reputation as a defender of education and health care programs.

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The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee heavily recruited Kosmas after a poll showed she would run well against Feeney. The committee wouldn't release the poll.

For those who don't remember exactly how Feeney was tied to Abramoff, here's a quick refresher course:

Abramoff took Feeney on a 2003 golfing trip to Scotland, a violation of congressional rules. He agreed to pay $5,643 to the U.S. Treasury for what he said was his share, but the FBI is still investigating.

This district leans about three points more Republican than the nation as a whole in presidential elections, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, so it is certainly not a gimme for the Democrats. But even considering the district's Republican advantage and the fact that Feeney is a moderately strong fundraiser, with an able Democratic challenger in this race, the Democrats can make a real play for this district this cycle.