From CQ: Though Republican strategists knew they would face problems holding their ground in the House this year after their big setbacks in 2006, Republican Rep. Tom Feeney ’s re-election bid in Florida’s 24th Congressional District wasn’t initially in their top tier of trouble races. But signs of increasing competition — which have prompted CQ Politics to change its rating on the race — have added the central Florida seat to the GOP’s list of worries.

CQ Politics now rates the race Leans Republican, a change from the less competitive Republican Favored category. The change reflects the strong and well-funded challenge that Feeney, bidding for a fourth House term, is receiving from Democrat Suzanne Kosmas, a former state representative, and a persistent cloud over the incumbent caused by a past link to since-convicted Washington influence peddler Jack Abramoff. (story here)