State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge freshman Republican Congressman Tim Walberg in the 2008 election.

Schauer had previously declined overtures to run. But he says he changed his mind after being approached by constituents and Democratic Party leaders.

Schauer criticizes Walberg as being a servant of the Bush-Cheney administration and extreme special interests in Washington.

Walberg responds that he's working on economic issues that are important for Michigan.

Schauer filed paperwork to run in the 7th District, which includes parts of seven counties in south-central Michigan.

It has been targeted by Democrats because Walberg, of Tipton, failed to capture 50 percent of the vote in last year's election.