UPDATED: Rob Welch to challenge Rep. Haler

Rep. Larry Haler (R-Richland)Former Richland Mayor Rob Welch will announce today that he is seeking Rep. Larry Haler’s seat in the 8th District. Both candidates are Richland Republicans.

"I appreciate the many friends and family members that have convinced me that the way to make a difference on the issues that are important to our community is to continue to serve as an elected official of our district," Welch says on his website. He looks to run on a general platform of"more efficient, less intrusive, government."

TCH’s Chris Mulick, who broke the story, adds this bit of analysis to the matchup:

“It could be an interesting campaign. Haler and Welch served on the council together and Haler, himself a former mayor, has not hid his contempt.”

UPDATED: Mulick has more on his blog after speaking with both candidates. This looks like it could be a heated race, verbally at least. Here is a sampling at some of the things the two had to say about each other on the phone to Mulick.

Welch: "If you asked me if I respected Mr. Haler, I would have to say no."

Welch: "[Haler is] very aggressive and unfair to some members who were softer spoken...not always as professional as he should have been."

Haler: "I've far exceeded anything he's ever done in his life."

Haler: "The mayor is nothing more than a member of the city council. Let's not make any more of that than what it is. It's just a figurehead...my resume outdoes his tenfold."

A reminder that these men are both Republicans and former colleagues on the city council.