Democrats have high hopes of picking up this seat stretching across the northern part of the state, containing all of Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist and Union counties and parts of Columbia, Levy, Marion and Putnam counties. Nevertheless, Republican Sen. Steve Oelrich of Gainesville remains the favorite.

Running for a second term, Oelrich has brought in more than $209,000, but less than $9,000 in the second quarter of 2010. He has spent more than $79,000 so far in the campaign.

Oelrich has drawn a serious Democratic challenger. Former Rep. Perry McGriff has raised more than $127,000 in the less than two months his campaign has been up and running; he has spent less than $11,000 so far. McGriff is well-known in the area. He was a star baseball and football player at the University of Florida and served on the Gainesville City Commission and the Alachua County Commission.

Oelrich is the favorite, but this one could prove interesting.