Democratic Senator Robert Byrd, who will turn 88 next week, faces a reelection campaign next fall in West Virginia, which has grown increasingly more Republican in recent years. Despite Byrd's advanced years and his long dormant campaign skills (he has not been forced onto the hustings for decades), the Republican Party has thus far been largely unsuccessful in its attempt to find a suitable challenger for the race.

One month ago, Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) -- the daughter of a former three-term Governor -- opted not to run, much to the chagrin of the White House, National Republican Senatorial Committee and WV GOP. And now, as Joselyn King reports for The Wheeling Intelligencer (via Political Wire), yet another possible Republican challenger has dropped out of contention.

Former West Virginia University basketball coach Gale Catlett announced Friday he won't be a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2006 as some speculated.

"Coach Catlett is a valued member of the Republican Party, and we are grateful for his loyal and active participation, state Republican Party Chairman Robin Capehart said in a prepared statement. "A Catlett campaign for U.S. Senate - or in the 1st Congressional district next year - would be exciting, but the GOP will put forth a winning team when the filing deadline closes in January.

Capehart termed both U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., and U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., "vulnerable for re-election" in 2006.

The next question for the West Virginia Republican Party is just who will step up next year to run for U.S. Senate and the 1st District Congressional seat. Capehart couldn't be reached for additional comment Friday.

In other news pertaining to the campaign to control the Senate in the 110th Congress, the latest polling out of Missouri from Rasmussen Reports shows first term Republican Senator Jim Talent trailing his Democratic opponent, former state Treasurer Claire McCaskill, by two points.