SPRINGFIELD - Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken has filed to challenge 12-term incumbent Rep. Peter DeFazio for his 4th District congressional seat.

The Eugene Register-Guard reports that Leiken, a Republican, filed the paperwork on Monday.

DeFazio, a Democrat, has regularly won by landslides and had no Republican opponent last fall. But DeFazio is being mentioned as a possible candidate for Oregon governor in 2010, which could create an opportunity for Leiken and the GOP in next year's 4th District race.

Congressman Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican and the recruitment chairman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, was in Springfield last month to meet with Leiken.