Even though Larry Craig is sticking around the Senate, Republicans are already preparing for his (much-awaited) departure in 2008, when he will retire. Lt. Governor Jim Risch, who had been expected to be appointed to the seat if Craig had resigned as he originally announced, has now announced his candidacy for the seat.

Risch already has some big names from the state GOP establishment on board, with Senator Mike Crapo and former Governor Phil Batt co-chairing his campaign. So it looks likely that he'll be the Republican nominee against former Democratic Congressman Larry LaRocco, whom he already defeated by a wide margin in the Lt. Governor race last year.