Per the Times’ Buzz blog, Jeff Brandes now has a Democratic opponent for re-election in the Pinellas-based 22nd Senate district in the person of Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, a professor of political science at USF-St Pete.

Last week, we Squeezers discussed this seat as an ideal place from which to challenge the RPOF’s grip on the Senate. Brandes comes equipped with a substantial personal fortune, but as he has proven himself well to the right of his moderate-to-liberal St. Petersburg constituents, he is vulnerable to a well-organized challenge.  We’ll be learning more about this candidate in the coming weeks but for now, Dr. McLauchlan’s entrance into the race is a heartening sign.